MP's Rosemarie Falk and Gary Vidal aren't optimistic that Jim Carr's appointment to the federal cabinet will be a win for the prairies. (File photo/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan & Elliott Knopp

Cabinet Reaction

Conservative MP’s react to cabinet appointments

Jan 14, 2021 | 4:16 PM

The reshuffling for Prime Minster Justin Trudeau’s Federal Cabinet has prompted mix reaction from conservative members of Parliament.

One of the notable appointments was that of former Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr. The Winnipeg MP will return to the cabinet, this time as a special representative to the Prairies. Carr left his previous position after he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Gary Vidal, MP for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, congratulated Carr on his appointment, crediting him for being willing to work with people across the aisle, when Vidal was first elected to office.

“He was the first guy I went to and he helped me with an issue, so I have a lot of respect for Mr. Carr,” Vidal said.

However, Vidal said it’s unfortunate that the federal government has to appoint someone as a special advisor for the Prairies, adding that it emphasizes the government’s alienation of Western Canada, where “we don’t actually see somebody truly sitting at the table, in a true portfolio.”

“I mean, it’s almost like a pander to Western Canada by saying ‘hey, we’re going to give you this voice that’s not really a cabinet minister,’” he said. “It’s not like [Carr] has a department to administrate.”

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While Vidal said he respects the commitment of Carr in returning to work for the government, he was less than optimistic when asked whether it would help with addressing issues facing the west.

“I would like to think so, but if I’m being a realist, I would probably suggest not,” he said.

Election speculation

Battlfefords MP Rosemarie Falk was similarly unconvinced that the appointment will be a positive result for the Prairies, based on Carr’s time as natural resources minister.

“I don’t know if he’s going to be able to [get] that good [of] representation for Western Canadians,” Falk said.

The shuffling of the cabinet, following Liberal MP Navdeep Bains announcement he would not run in the next election, has led to speculation of a snap election. Falk said she has no feel for whether or not this will occur, given the recent results on confidence votes.

“We have seen the federal NDP side with the Liberals repeatedly,” she said.

However, she said they will have to be ready at any time for an election, with a minority government.

“We’re coming up to the 18 month mark from the 2019 election, which is the average a minority government lasts till that election,” “But I can’t even make a prediction.”

“There’s a couple options: the opposition will either band together to take down the government, or Justin Trudeau will go to the Governor General and ask for an election.”

Falk said the focus instead is on speaking up for the concerns of constituents.

“Speaking up for agricultural workers, energy workers and families,” she said.

The Prime Minister’s approval in polling has increased since 2019, particularly during the early months of the pandemic.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports