the CanadaVisa Team - 18 July, 2015
As recently elected Liberal Party of Canada leader the Honourable Stephane Dion named his first shadow cabinet, a new face will be addressing issues of Citizenship and Immigration. The announcement also features some prominent roles for former Ministers of Citizenship and Immigration.
Omar Alghabra, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Greater Toronto Area riding of Missisauga-Erindale will be taking over the immigration file for the official opposition. Himself an immigrant, having moved to Canada as a child, Alghabra welcomed the opportunity, saying that "this file is vital to Canada's social and economic success". Mr. Alghabra is serving his first term in the House of Commons, having been elected in the February 2006 elections.
In a letter to constituents, Mr. Alghabra raised several issues which he plans to address in the role of Critic for Citizenship and Immigration. The letter also suggested that the concerns of immigrants should be integrated into other policy areas such as health and education.
Two Liberal parliamentarians who have served previously as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration also will play prominent roles in Mr. Dion's shadow cabinet. Denis Coderre, a Quebec MP who held the post from 2002-2003, will be the Liberal Party’s critic for the defence portfolio. Joe Volpe, who held the job from early 2005 until the election of the current Conservative Party government in early 2006, will serve as Critic for Transportation.
