NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh unveiled his shadow cabinet in Ottawa this morning, giving himself two portfolios that are expected to loom large in the upcoming Parliamentary session: addressing intensifying regional divisions and ongoing Indigenous issues.

As critic for intergovernmental affairs, Singh will go head-to-head with deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland during question period, which briefly resumes next week. As minister of intergovernmental affairs, Freeland is tasked with easing provincial tensions and holding the federation together in a period of deep economic anxiety in much of Western Canada.

Singh also will be the critic for Crown-Indigenous relations and Indigenous services. He’s been a vocal opponent of the government’s decision to appeal a court ruling on child welfare compensation for Indigenous children.

Singh’s inner circle remains largely unchanged since the last session. The party’s lone Quebec MP, Alexandre Boulerice, will stay on as deputy leader. He’ll also be the critic for Canadian economic development for Quebec regions, and for Canadian heritage

Re-elected New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian will keep his job as House leader and will take on the role of finance critic.

Windsor West MP Brian Masse remains caucus chair and will take on the critic role for digital government, the Great Lakes, telecommunications and innovation, science and industry.

North Island-Powell River’s Rachel Blaney will continue on as whip and become the NDP critic for veterans affairs.

“If the government is willing to work with us, my team is ready to deliver for Canadians to help make their lives better and deal with the challenges they face every day,” said Singh in a statement.

The other NDP critic roles are:

• Charlie Angus: the federal economic development initiative for northern Ontario, income inequality and affordability, Indigenous youth
• Niki Ashton: public ownership, transport
• Don Davies: health
• Carol Hughes: official languages
• Randall Garrison: defence, justice, sexual orientation and gender identity
• Daniel Blaikie: democratic reform, employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, export promotion and international trade, western economic diversification
• Richard Cannings: natural resources
• Scott Duvall: the federal economic development agency for southern Ontario, labour, pensions and seniors 
• Gord Johns: economic development, fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, small business, tourism
• Jenny Kwan: housing, immigration, refugees and citizenship
• Alistair MacGregor: agriculture and rural economic development
• Taylor Bachrach: infrastructure and communities
• Laurel Collins: caucus vice chair and critic for environment and climate change
• Leah Gazan: families, children and social development
• Matthew Green: national revenue, public services and procurement, Treasury Board
• Jack Harris: the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, foreign affairs, public safety and emergency preparedness
• Lindsay Mathyssen: deputy whip and critic for diversity, inclusion and youth, post-secondary education, women and gender equality
• Heather McPherson: deputy House leader, critic for international development
• Mumilaaq Qaqqaq: critic for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, northern affairs

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