An Albertan to watch the environment

I don’t think it comes with too much shock to know that Jack Layton has chosen Edmonton-Strathcona’s ambitious Linda Duncan for the position of Environment critic in the NDP shadow cabinet.

With her vast experience at environmental law and advocacy, as well as the proximity to many of the worst polluters in the country, it’s like she’s been training for this position since she entered law school at the University of Alberta (actually, she likely was ready to be Minister of the Environment, but that’ll wait till the NDP form a government).

It’s a bit enjoyable to know that the strongest voice in parliament to defend the environment will be Alberta’s lone opposition MP.

One other shadow cabinet announcement is good for a friend on the West Coast, Dipper Chick, who will be proud of Don Davies (MP Vancouver Kingsway) for getting the following positions (he’ll be busy): Deputy Critic Immigration and Citizenship, Western Economic Diversification, Multiculturalism, and Metro Vancouver.

Other recent NDP news includes Joe Comartin, MP for Windsor-Tecumseh who is running to replace the current speaker of the house (who’s apparently become ineffective at controlling the playground parliament). The party who gets the position of speaker loses that vote except in the case of a tie, but it would bring some credibility to the newly-enlarged NDP caucus. Comartin has no weight on his portfolio, so Layton is likely hoping for a win here.

I don’t know too much about Comartin, but a brief look suggests he’s one of the better MPs in Canada, and would likely do well as speaker. Here’s wishing him the best of luck!