FALL RIVER: Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook Liberal MP Darrell Samson says it’s key that the federal cabinet has representation from each province, and that will continue after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled the cabinet.
The move by Trudeau came after Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison announced his resignation as the Treasury Board President and that he would not be re-offering this fall when Canadians go to the polls.
Darrell Samson, the representative for the Fall River area, said he is pleased with the choices made by his leader, especially seeing South Shore MP Bernadette Jordan be named to cabinet in the role as Minister of Rural Economic Development.
“I think it’s important when you have at least one minister from each province,” said Samson. “Bernadette has done some great work, and it’s nice to her take on the role of rural economic development because N.S. and Atlantic Canada has many areas that are rural.”
He said broadband internet is a big need for those in rural areas of Atlantic Canada.
“She has some challenges ahead, but our government has started and are working with the provinces on those areas,” he said.
Other changes to cabinet will see: Jody Wilson-Raybould move from being Justice Minister to Veterans Affairs; Jane Philpott replaces Brison as president of the Treasury Board and minister of digital government; MP Seamus O’Regan becomes Indigenous Services Minister; and Quebec MP David Lametti, who had been serving as a parliamentary secretary for innovation, is the new Justice Minister.
When asked by The Laker if he had been offered any minister position Samson said he was not contacted.
“I’m happy where I’m at,” he said. “You want to be home with your constituents and family and not travelling as much as you would have to if you are a Minister.”
