Conservative MP Candice Bergen has been appointed the Official Opposition House leader.
Bergen replaces Andrew Scheer, who stepped down from the job to explore a run for leadership of the Conservative Party.
“I am very pleased that Candice has accepted to serve as House leader for the Conservative team in the House of Commons,” interim party leader Rona Ambrose said in a news release. “She brings a wealth of parliamentary experience that will serve us well in the upcoming session of Parliament.”
Bergen served as minister of state for social development in the Conservative government, and as a parliamentary secretary to the minister of public safety.
Bergen told CTV News Channel Thursday that she’s “very excited” about her new role.
“I’m looking forward to the challenges and the opportunity … To be able to work as the House leader, obviously, is a huge honour.”
Bergen said she had considered running for leadership of the party, but when Ambrose asked her to be the new House leader, she was “very happy” to do it.
Bergen is also the first female Conservative House leader.
She said the Conservative Party’s top priority in the House of Commons is “standing up for Canadian taxpayers” and holding the Liberal government to account.
Ambrose also announced these changes to the shadow cabinet:
• Deputy House leader and question period co-ordinator: Chris Warkentin
• Critic for natural resources: Mark Strahl
• Critic for fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard: Todd Doherty
• Critic for agriculture and agri-Food: David Anderson
• Critic for Atlantic Canada and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency: Rob Moore; and
• Critic for Canada/U.S. relations: Randy Hoback
