With new NDP shadow cabinet, Mulcair plots Harper’s 2015 defeat

Last week’s 24-hour House of Commons vote on Stephen Harper‘s draconian budget Bill C-38, the “Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act”, ended in a dramatic fashion. The New Democratic Party (NDP), the Official Opposition, concluded the vote with a spontaneous: Deux mille quinze! Deux mille quinze! Deux mille quinze! chant. That’s French for 2015! But why the celebration, after a grueling marathon vote where the Conservative majority torpedoed every single one of the combined opposition’s 800 progressive amendments?

The answer: 2015. The year we’ve pinned our hopes of ridding ourselves of Harper. Through the ballot. NDP House leader Nathan Cullen characterized the chant as a “confirmation of purpose.” In other words: An assurance to Canadians that the party is already a capable alternative to the Conservatives. That’s because NDP leader Thomas Mulcair has assembled a shadow cabinet to rival the oft-bombastic but corporations-serving Conservatives.

I’m impressed by Mulcair’s confidence in his leadership. And, especially, by his open call to reconciliation after the fractious party leadership contest. To assemble he shadow cabinet, Mulcair performed a delicate balancing act. He accommodated leadership rivals. “Rewarded” supporters. And balanced regional interests. Mulcair gave nearly all fellow leadership rivals – and some of their supporters – prominent posts. A team of former rivals.

For example, Mulcair retained Libby Davies, the veteran Vancouver MP and NDP deputy leader under the late Jack Layton. During the race, Davies had supported Brian Topp, whom Mulcair eventually walloped in the final round. Skeena-Bulkley Valley (B.C.) MP Nathan Cullen, surprised the Canadian political world with a strong third-place finish. He now holds the powerful position of House Header.

Indeed: Deux mille quinze! 2015!

Deputy Critics