Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 41st Parliament of Canada


The Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet in Canada is composed of members of the main Opposition party responsible for holding the Government to account and for developing and disseminating the party's policy positions. Members of the Official Opposition are generally referred to as Opposition Critics, but the term Shadow Minister is also used.

By Member

Following the 41st Canadian general election, held on May 2, 2011, the New Democratic Party replaced the Liberal Party of Canada as the Official Opposition in the 41st Parliament. 83 MPs have served in the Official Opposition Cabinet in the 41st Parliament. Highlight indicates Member was a Senior Shadow Minister at dissolution.
PortraitShadow MinisterPortfolioTenure
Malcolm AllenAgricultureMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Malcolm AllenDeputy Natural ResourcesJanuary 23, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Charlie AngusEthicsMay 26, 2011 – October 19, 2015
Niki AshtonStatus of WomenApril 19, 2012 — January 22, 2015
Niki AshtonAboriginal AffairsJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Robert AubinLa FrancophonieMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Robert AubinDeputy TransportApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Robert AubinDeputy Infrastructure and CommunitiesApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Paulina AyalaConsular ServicesMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Paulina AyalaDeputy Consular ServicesApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Tyrone BenskinCanadian HeritageMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Tyrone BenskinDeputy Official LanguagesApril 19, 2012 — May 27, 2013
Dennis BevingtonDeputy Aboriginal AffairsMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Dennis BevingtonCanadian Northern Economic DevelopmentApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Denis BlanchetteDeputy Public Works and Government ServicesApril 19, 2012 — August 13, 2013
Lysane Blanchette-LamotheDeputy SeniorsMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Lysane Blanchette-LamotheSeniorsApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Lysane Blanchette-LamotheCitizenship and ImmigrationAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Françoise BoivinStatus of WomenMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Françoise BoivinDeputy JusticeSeptember 21, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Françoise BoivinJusticeApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Charmaine BorgDigital IssuesApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Marjolaine Boutin-SweetHousingApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Marjolaine Boutin-SweetDeputy Human Resources and Skills DevelopmentApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Marjolaine Boutin-SweetInfrastructure and CommunitiesAugust 13, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Marjolaine Boutin-SweetDeputy Infrastructure and CommunitiesJanuary 21, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Alexandre BoulericeTreasury BoardMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Alexandre BoulericeLabourApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Ruth Ellen BrosseauDeputy AgricultureApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Guy CaronIndustryNovember 1, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Guy CaronDeputy FinanceApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Guy CaronDeputy International TradeJanuary 17, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Andrew CashDeputy HousingMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Andrew CashDeputy Canadian HeritageApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Andrew CashMulticulturalismAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Andrew CashConsumer AffairsJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Chris CharltonChief Opposition WhipMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Chris CharltonHuman Resources and Skills DevelopmentApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Chris CharltonIndustryAugust 13, 2013 — March 19, 2014
Chris CharltonNatural ResourcesMarch 20, 2014 — January 22, 2015
Sylvain ChicoineDeputy Public SafetyMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Sylvain ChicoineDeputy Veterans AffairsApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Robert ChisholmInternational TradeMay 26, 2011 — October 31, 2011
Robert ChisholmFisheries and OceansApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Robert ChisholmAtlantic GatewayApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Robert ChisholmDeputy Intergovernmental AffairsApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
François ChoquetteDeputy EnvironmentAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Olivia ChowTransportationMay 26, 2011 — March 13, 2014
David ChristophersonDemocratic ReformMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
David ChristophersonPublic Safety and Emergency PreparednessOctober 14, 2011 — April 18, 2012
David ChristophersonDeputy NDP Leader April 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Ryan ClearyPost Secondary EducationApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Ryan ClearyAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Joe ComartinJusticeMay 26, 2011 — October 12, 2011
Joe ComartinOpposition House LeaderOctober 13, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Joe ComartinDemocratic ReformApril 19, 2012 — September 16, 2012
Raymond CôtéSmall Business & TourismMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Nathan CullenDeputy Natural Resources May 26, 2011 — October 2, 2011
Nathan CullenOpposition House LeaderApril 19, 2012 — March 19, 2014
Nathan CullenFinanceMarch 20, 2014 — October 19, 2015
Jean CrowderHuman Resources and Social DevelopmentMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jean CrowderPrivacyOctober 3, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jean CrowderAboriginal AffairsApril 19, 2012 — January 22, 2015
Don DaviesCitizenship and ImmigrationMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Don DaviesInternational TradeApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Don DaviesDeputy MulticulturalismAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Don DaviesDeputy Citizenship and ImmigrationJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Libby DaviesDeputy NDP Leader May 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Libby DaviesHealthMay 26, 2011 — January 22, 2015
Anne-Marie DayDeputy Human Resources and Skills DevelopmentMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Anne-Marie DayDeputy Public Works and Government ServicesAugust 13, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Anne-Marie DayLa FrancophonieJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Paul DewarForeign AffairsMay 26, 2011 — October 2, 2011
Paul DewarForeign AffairsApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Pierre Dionne LabelleLa FrancophonieApril 19, 2012 — January 22, 2015
Pierre Dionne LabelleNational RevenueJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Fin DonnellyFisheries and OceansMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Fin DonnellyWestern Economic DiversificationApril 19, 2012 — April 18, 2012
Fin DonnellyDeputy Fisheries and OceansApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Fin DonnellyDeputy Infrastructure and CommunitiesAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Rosane Doré LefebvreDeputy Public SafetyApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Matthew DubéDeputy Post Secondary EducationMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Matthew DubéSportApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Matthew DubéYouthAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Linda DuncanAboriginal AffairsMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Linda DuncanPublic Works and Government ServicesApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Linda DuncanWestern Economic DiversificationAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Mylène FreemanStatus of WomenJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Randall GarrisonLGBT IssuesMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Randall GarrisonPublic Safety and Emergency PreparednessApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Jonathan Genest-JourdainDeputy Aboriginal AffairsMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Yvon GodinLabourMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Yvon GodinOfficial LanguagesMay 26, 2011 — January 22, 2015
Claude GravelleNatural ResourcesOctober 3, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Claude GravelleOfficial LanguagesJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Sadia GroguhéDeputy Citizenship and ImmigrationMay 26, 2011 — August 12, 2013
Sadia GroguhéDeputy MulticulturalismMay 26, 2011 — August 12, 2013
Sadia GroguhéDeputy Opposition House LeaderApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Sadia GroguhéDeputy Chief Opposition WhipAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Sadia GroguhéDeputy Employment and Social DevelopmentAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Dan HarrisDeputy Science and TechnologyMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Dan HarrisDeputy IndustryApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Jack HarrisJusticeMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jack HarrisNational DefenceApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Carol HughesDeputy Aboriginal Affairs April 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Peter JulianIndustryMay 26, 2011 — October 31, 2011
Peter JulianFinanceOctober 28, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Peter JulianNatural ResourcesApril 19, 2012 — March 19, 2014
Peter JulianOpposition House LeaderMarch 20, 2014 — October 19, 2015
Matthew KellwayDeputy National Defence May 26, 2011 — August 12, 2013
Matthew KellwayUrban AffairsAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Matthew KellwayDeputy TransportMarch 20, 2014 — October 19, 2015
Matthew KellwayInfrastructure and CommunitiesJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
François LapointeSmall Business and TourismApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
François LapointeEconomic Development August 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Alexandrine LatendresseDeputy Democratic ReformMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Hélène LaverdièreInternational CooperationMay 26, 2011 — October 2, 2011
Hélène LaverdièreDeputy Foreign AffairsMay 26, 2011 — October 2, 2011
Hélène LaverdièreForeign AffairsOctober 3, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Hélène LaverdièreConsular ServicesApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Hélène LaverdièreInternational CooperationOctober 22, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Hélène LaverdièreDeputy Foreign AffairsAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Jack LaytonLeader of the NDPMay 26, 2011 – August 22, 2011
Jack LaytonLeader of the OppositionMay 26, 2011 – August 22, 2011
Jack LaytonIntergovernmental AffairsMay 26, 2011 – August 22, 2011
Hélène LeBlancScience and TechnologyMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Hélène LeBlancIndustryApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Megan LeslieEnvironmentMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Megan LeslieDeputy NDP Leader April 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Hoang MaiNational RevenueMay 26, 2011 — January 16, 2013
Hoang MaiDeputy JusticeJnnuary 17, 2013 — August 12, 2013
Hoang MaiDeputy TransportAugust 13, 2013 — March 19, 2014
Hoang MaiTransportMarch 20, 2014 — October 19, 2015
Wayne MarstonHuman RightsMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Wayne MarstonEconomic Development April 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Wayne MarstonConsular AffairsAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Wayne MarstonDeputy LabourAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Brian MasseInternational TradeNovember 1, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Brian MasseEconomic Development August 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Brian MasseSmall Business and TourismJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Pat MartinCanadian Wheat BoardMay 26, 2011 — August 12, 2013
Pat MartinPublic Works and Government ServicesAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Irene MathyssenSeniorsMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Irene MathyssenPensionsApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Irene MathyssenSeniorsAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Irene MathyssenDeputy Canadian HeritageAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Élaine MichaudDeputy National DefenceAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Christine MooreDeputy National DefenceMay 26, 2011 — August 12, 2013
Christine MooreDeputy Natural ResourcesJnnuary 17, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Christine MooreDeputy HealthJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Dany MorinDeputy LGBT IssuesMay 26, 2011 — August 12, 2013
Dany MorinDeputy HealthAugust 13, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Dany MorinDeputy Public Works and Government ServicesJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Marie-Claude MorinHousingOctober 3, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Thomas MulcairOpposition House LeaderMay 26, 2011 — October 12, 2011
Thomas MulcairLeader of the NDPApril 19, 2012 – October 19, 2015
Thomas MulcairLeader of the OppositionApril 19, 2012 – October 19, 2015
Thomas MulcairIntergovernmental AffairsApril 19, 2012 – October 19, 2015
Pierre NantelSportMay 26, 2011 — October 31, 2011
Pierre NantelCanadian HeritageApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Peggy NashFinanceMay 26, 2011 — October 27, 2011
Peggy NashFinanceApril 19, 2012 — March 19, 2014
Peggy NashIndustryMarch 20, 2014 — October 19, 2015
Jamie NichollsDeputy Transport, Infrastructure and CommunitiesMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jamie NichollsDeputy Natural ResourcesApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Jamie NichollsDeputy Official LanguagesAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Annick PapillonDeputy Veterans AffairsMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Annick PapillonDeputy Small Business and TourismAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Ève PécletDeputy Foreign AffairsApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Ève PécletDeputy JusticeAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
John RaffertyEconomic Development April 19, 2012 – October 19, 2015
John RaffertyPensionsJanuary 23, 2015 – October 19, 2015
Murray RankinNational RevenueJanuary 17, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Murray RankinHealthJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Murray RankinDeputy National RevenueJanuary 23, 2015 — October 19, 2015
Mathieu RavignatPublic Works and Government ServicesMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Mathieu RavignatDeputy International TradeMay 26, 2011 — September 20, 2011
Mathieu RavignatTreasury BoardApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Jean RousseauDeputy AgricultureMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jean RousseauDeputy Public Works and Government ServicesApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Anne Minh-Thu QuachDeputy HealthMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Anne Minh-Thu QuachDeputy EnvironmentApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Anne Minh-Thu QuachDeputy IndustryAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Jasbir SandhuPublic Safety and Emergency PreparednessMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jasbir SandhuAsia-Pacific GatewayApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Craig ScottDeputy JusticeApril 19, 2012 — January 16, 2013
Craig ScottDemocratic ReformSeptember 20, 2012 — October 19, 2015
Djaouida SellahDeputy HealthApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Jinny SimsInternational CooperationMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jinny SimsDeputy Consular ServicesMay 26, 2011 — October 2, 2011
Jinny SimsDeputy Foreign AffairsMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Jinny SimsCitizenship and ImmigrationApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Jinny SimsMulticulturalismApril 19, 2012 — August 12, 2013
Jinny SimsEmployment and Social DevelopmentAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Rathika SitsabaiesanPost Secondary EducationMay 26, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Kennedy StewartDeputy Natural Resources October 3, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Peter StofferVeterans AffairsMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Glenn ThibeaultSportNovember 1, 2011 — April 18, 2012
Glenn ThibeaultSmall Business and TourismAugust 13, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Glenn ThibeaultConsumer AffairsAugust 13, 2013 — January 22, 2015
Philip TooneDeputy Fisheries and OceansMay 26, 2011 — October 19, 2015
Philip TooneDeputy Chief Opposition WhipMay 26, 2011 — August 12, 2013
Philip TooneDeputy Opposition House LeaderAugust 13, 2013 — October 19, 2015
Nycole TurmelPublic Works and Government ServicesMay 26, 2011 — August 22, 2011
Nycole TurmelLeader of the NDPAugust 23, 2011 – March 23, 2012
Nycole TurmelLeader of the OppositionAugust 23, 2011 – March 23, 2012
Nycole TurmelIntergovernmental AffairsAugust 23, 2011 – April 18, 2012
Nycole TurmelChief Opposition WhipApril 19, 2012 — October 19, 2015

Composition

Party leader Jack Layton announced his first Shadow Cabinet as Leader of the Opposition on May 26, 2011. Layton went on a leave of absence beginning July 28, 2011, in order to fight a new cancer and Nycole Turmel was appointed interim leader. Jack Layton died August 22, 2011.
Thomas Mulcair was elected leader of the NDP, and by extension Leader of the Opposition, at a leadership election held on March 24, 2012, and reshuffled the Shadow Cabinet on April 19, 2012. Craig Scott replaced Joe Comartin as Democratic Reform critic after the latter became Deputy Speaker in September 2012. On January 17, 2013, Mulcair replaced Hoang Mai with Murray Rankin as National Revenue critic. The shadow cabinet was last shuffled on March 20, 2014.
PortfolioCritic
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the NDP
Intergovernmental Affairs
Hon. Thomas Mulcair
Deputy Leader of the NDP
Health
Libby Davies
Deputy Leader of the NDPDavid Christopherson
Deputy Leader of the NDP
Environment
Megan Leslie
Opposition House Leader
Caucus Chair
Peter Julian
Deputy Opposition House Leader
Deputy Employment and Social Development
Sadia Groguhé
Opposition WhipNycole Turmel
Deputy Opposition Whip
Deputy Fisheries
Philip Toone
Agriculture and Agri-FoodMalcolm Allen
Ethics, Access to Information and PrivacyCharlie Angus
Employment InsuranceRobert Aubin
WomenNiki Ashton
Canadian Northern Economic Development AgencyDennis Bevington
Citizenship and ImmigrationLysane Blanchette-Lamothe
JusticeFrançoise Boivin
Digital IssuesCharmaine Borg
Labour
Deputy Ethics, Access to Information and Privacy
Alexandre Boulerice
Housing and InfrastructureMarjolaine Boutin-Sweet
MulticulturalismAndrew Cash
Energy and Natural ResourcesChris Charlton
Fisheries
Deputy Employment Insurance
Robert Chisholm
Atlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyRyan Cleary
Aboriginal AffairsJean Crowder
FinanceNathan Cullen
International Trade
Deputy Multiculturalism
Don Davies
Employment InsuranceAnne-Marie Day
Foreign AffairsPaul Dewar
La FrancophoniePierre Dionne Labelle
Western Economic Diversification CanadaLinda Duncan
Sport
Youth
Matthew Dubé
Public Safety
LGBT Issues
Randall Garrison
Official LanguagesYvon Godin
Post-Secondary EducationDan Harris
National DefenceJack Harris
Urban Affairs
Deputy Transport
Matthew Kellway
Canada Economic Development for Quebec RegionsFrançois Lapointe
International Development
Deputy Foreign Affairs
Hélène Laverdière
Co-operativesHélène Leblanc
TransportHoang Mai
Human Rights
Americas and Consular Affairs
Deputy Labour
Wayne Marston
Public Works and Government ServicesPat Martin
Seniors
Deputy Heritage
Irene Mathyssen
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Canada–US Border & Great Lakes
Brian Masse
IndustryPeggy Nash
HeritagePierre Nantel
Disabilities IssuesMike Sullivan
Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern OntarioJohn Rafferty
National Revenue
Pensions
Murray Rankin
Treasury BoardMathieu Ravignat
Economic Development Agency for the Regions of QuebecJean Rousseau
Asia–Pacific GatewayJasbir Sandhu
Democratic and Parliamentary ReformCraig Scott
Employment and Social DevelopmentJinny Sims
Caucus Vice-chairRathika Sitsabaiesan
Science and TechnologyKennedy Stewart
Veterans AffairsPeter Stoffer
Small Business and Tourism
Consumer Protection
Brian Masse