Shadow Cabinet

The Liberal shadow cabinet is (for the most part) complete and can be viewed here. Some interesting choices. It's good to see Mike Savage in there (ACOA), as well as LeBlanc (International Trade), Minna (Women and Multiculturalism) and Godfrey (Intergovernmental). Some of the shoe-ins though are not at all where I would have expected.

For example, I wasn't aware that Ujjal Dosanjh (Defence) had an extensive military knowledge. Lapierre for Industry (I thought for sure that'd go to Stronach, though I guess Transport makes sense for her), and I also wasn't aware that Scott Brison (Environment) was a big tree-hugger. (Though I do look forward to watching Brison and Ambrose go toe-to-toe, as they're both very good speakers.) Also, Ignatieff as Associate Critic for HRDC? He seems less suited for that particular portfolio than Belinda...

The SC is a good mix of Martinites, Chretienites and others, with Hedy Fry and Stephane Dion in there with Ralph Goodale and Joe Volpe. Carolyn Bennett in Social Development seems like a good pick, as does Fry for the Olympics, given her passion for her city. But... uh... Telegdi in Immigration...? Isn't that guy a closet racist or something? I could also gripe about the inclusion of people who are clearly not real Liberals (McTeague, McKay), but they do have seignority.

All griping aside, a strong front bench made up of, for the most part, the names you'd expect to see, showcasing the talent of the Liberal Party - but most certainly a shadow cabinet, as I can't see even a quarter of these people taking on the respective cabinet position.