Kenora MP Eric Melillo has been named as one of Canada’s Shadow Ministers as part of the Official Opposition party, and he’ll once again serve as FedNor’s critic.
The official opposition’s Shadow Cabinet is tasked with holding cabinet ministers and their ministries to account.
Melillo served as the Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and FedNor in his previous term, as he criticized the government for spending $800,000 through FedNor to support a southern Ontario-based business, which didn’t create a single job in northern Ontario.
“I’m happy to be continuing as the Conservative Shadow Minister for FedNor,” said Melillo, in a prepared statement.
“I’ve appreciated the opportunity to ensure Northern Ontario gets its fair share of economic development funding, and I’m pleased to once again be entrusted with that responsibility.”
FedNor is the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and aims to support projects that lead to job creation and economic growth in northern Ontario. It became a standalone agency in August 2021.
Patty Hajdu was named the new Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister of FedNor after a major cabinet shakeup at the end of October, which Melillo supported.
“I am pleased to see that FedNor will be finally led by an MP from Northern Ontario. This will be the first time since the Liberals took office that that’s the case,” said Melillo, in an interview with Q104 and KenoraOnline earlier this month.
The Liberal party is expected to present their plan for the country in a Throne Speech on November 22. Opposition parties can defeat the current Minority government and can trigger another election if they don’t agree with the government’s direction.