Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas is among the Conservative Party of Canada's new shadow ministers. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta MPs named to Conservative shadow cabinet

May 21, 2025 | 2:28 PM

Two local Members of Parliament are set to continue playing prominent roles within the Conservative Party of Canada.

Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced his leadership team and shadow cabinet, saying his party will fight for a Canada that is affordable, safe, united, and self-reliant.

“Now, our bigger and better team will push for the government to boost Canadians’ buying power through lower taxes and less inflation, unleash resources to bring home paycheques and production, secure our streets by locking up criminals, get immigration under control and unite our people under our shared flag,” says Poilievre.

Many of the Conservatives’ shadow cabinet members will remain in their pre-election roles.

One example of this is Foothills MP John Barlow, who will maintain his portfolio as the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-food.

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He wrote the following in a statement to LNN:

“I am honoured to be appointed by the Honourable Pierre Poilievre to once again serve as Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food in this 45th Parliament.

Agriculture and agri-food processing are incredibly valuable pillars of our nation’s economy, accounting for more than $100 billion in economic activity every year. The importance of agriculture to our national interest cannot be overstated.

Conservatives are proud of how our farm families and producers embrace innovation and technology to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and protect our water, soil and precious ecosystems. Canadian farm families do more with less, and Conservatives see modern Canadian agriculture as part of the solution.

As our country struggles with record high inflation, cost of living and food prices, so too do these financial burdens take their toll on family farms. Harmful Liberal policies for the last decade like the carbon tax, fertilizer tariffs, capital gains tax hike, fertilizer and pesticide reductions and prioritizing activist voices over proven science continue to threaten the economic viability of Canadian agriculture.

Conservatives are the only party standing by our farmers. I look forward to once again working with stakeholders from across Canada and championing Canadian agriculture here at home and around the world.”

Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas will have a similar role going forward.

She is now the Shadow Minister for Canadian Identity and Culture, having served the last term as the Shadow Minister for Canadian Heritage.

Thomas submitted the following statement to LNN regarding her appointment:

“I’m deeply honoured to continue in my role as the Shadow Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture.

In these challenging times, preserving Canadian identity and culture is vital.

We must uphold the Canadian virtues of freedom, integrity, and democracy that shape our unique identity.

I am excited to continue the fight for Canadians and stand up against Liberal censorship and control.

We have a very strong Conservative team and I am confident that together we will hold the Liberals to account and put Canada first with real solutions.

We will fight for a Canada that is affordable, safe, self-reliant, and united under a proud flag.”

The full leadership team and shadow cabinet for the Conservative Party of Canada is as follows:

Leadership Team:

• Leader in the House of Commons – Andrew Scheer
• Deputy Leader – Melissa Lantsman
• Deputy Leader – Tim Uppal
• Deputy House Leader – Luc Berthold
• Chief Opposition Whip – Chris Warkentin
• Deputy Whip – Rob Moore
• Question Period Coordinator – Eric Duncan
• Committee Coordinator – John Brassard
• National Outreach Chair – Arpan Khanna
• Quebec Lieutenant – Pierre Paul-Hus
• Special Advisor for British Columbia – Mark Strahl

Conservative Shadow Cabinet:

• Shadow Minister for Housing – Scott Aitchison
• Shadow Minister for Transport – Dan Albas
• Shadow Minister for Tourism – Tony Baldinelli
• Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food – John Barlow
• Shadow Minister for Ethics and Accountable Government – Michael Barrett
• Shadow Minister for National Defence – James Bezan
• Shadow Minister for Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement – Kelly Block
• Shadow Minister for Rural Development – Richard Bragdon
• Shadow Minister for Justice & Attorney General of Canada – Larry Brock
• Shadow Minister for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation – Blaine Calkins
• Shadow Minister for Public Safety – Frank Caputo
• Shadow Minister for International Trade – Adam Chambers
• Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs – Michael Chong
• Shadow Minister for Democratic Reform – Michael Cooper
• Shadow Minister for Industry – Raquel Dancho
• Shadow Minister for Red Tape Reduction – Scot Davidson
• Shadow Minister for Revenue – Gérard Deltell
• Shadow Minister for The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) – Chris d’Entremont
• Shadow Minister for Addictions – Todd Doherty
• Shadow Minister for Employment – Garnett Genuis
• Shadow Minister for Civil Liberties – Marilyn Gladu
• Shadow Minister for Official Languages – Joël Godin
• Shadow Minister for Social Development and Families – Laila Goodridge
• Shadow Minister for Finance – Jasraj Singh Hallan
• Shadow Minister for Canada-US Trade – Shelby Kramp-Neuman
• Shadow Minister for the Treasury Board and the King’s Privy Council – Stephanie Kusie
• Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Wellness – Mike Lake
• Shadow Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, Inter-Provincial Trade – Phil Lawrence
• Shadow Minister for Infrastructure – Leslyn Lewis
• Shadow Minister for Emergency Preparedness and Community Resilience – Dane Lloyd
• Shadow Minister for Digital Government and Artificial Intelligence – Ben Lobb
• Shadow Minister for Sport & Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec – Richard Martel
• Shadow Minister for Health – Dan Mazier
• Shadow Minister for Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – Eric Melillo
• Shadow Minister for Indigenous Services – Billy Morin
• Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship – Michelle Rempel Garner
• Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs – Blake Richards
• Shadow Minister for Seniors – Anna Roberts
• Shadow Minister for International Development and Federal Economic Development for Southern Ontario – Lianne Rood
• Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change – Ellis Ross
• Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations – Jamie Schmale
• Shadow Minister for Labour – Kyle Seeback
• Shadow Minister for Fisheries – Clifford Small
• Shadow Minister for Energy and Natural Resources – Shannon Stubbs
• Shadow Minister for Canadian Identity and Culture – Rachael Thomas
• Shadow Minister for Women, Gender Equality and Youth – Dominique Vien
• Shadow Minister for Small Business – Brad Vis
• Shadow Minister for Arctic Affairs & Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency – Bob Zimmer

Several members have also been named to associate shadow minister roles.

• Associate Shadow Minister for Agriculture – Jacques Gourde
• Associate Shadow Minister for Fisheries – Mel Arnold
• Associate Shadow Minister for Labour – Rosemarie Falk
• Associate Shadow Minister for Official Languages – Bernard Généreux
• Associate Shadow Minister for Prairies Economic Development Canada & Economic Advisor to the Leader – Pat Kelly
• Associate Shadow Minister for Finance – Éric Lefebvre
• Associate Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Mining and Forestry) – Gaétan Malette
• Associate Shadow Minister for Transport – Dan Muys
• Associate Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship – Brad Redekopp
• Associate Shadow Minister for Combatting Crime – Doug Shipley
• Associate Shadow Minister for Natural Resources (Nuclear) – Corey Tochor
• Associate Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs – Fraser Tolmie
• Associate Shadow Minister for Pacific Economic Development Canada – Tako Van Popta
• Associate Shadow Minister for Canadian Identity and Culture – Kevin Waugh

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