John Brassard is back in the Conservatives’ inner circle.
The Barrie-Innsfil MP was named the party’s House leader Friday, as new Conservative Interim Leader Candice Bergen got her leadership team in place following the ouster of former party boss Erin O’Toole.
“Being part of a leadership team, you’re obviously listening to your caucus in terms of the direction of what the legislative agenda should be within the House (of Commons),” Brassard said Saturday morning. “You’re also dealing with strategic and tactical aspects of how we’re positioning things within the House and communicating that to Canadians.
“So having a say at the table… is one thing that I’m really looking forward to.”
Brassard said his duties as Conservative House leader also include Question Period, working with House leaders from other parties on what bills are being introduced, how long discussion will take place in Parliament, as well as making sure House procedures are followed in accordance with the standing rules and orders.
“It’s a lot of legislative responsibility, making sure that the House of Commons is functioning in a way that serves Canadians and that’s really what the role of the House leader is,” he said.
Brassard said he’s looking forward to being on the Conservatives’ leadership team again. Previously he was deputy whip, served as ethics and accountable government critic, before that veterans affairs critic
And he was part of former leader Andrew Scheer’s leadership team for three years.
Brassard has six years of experience as an MP, nine years before that as a Barrie city councillor, 30 years as a firefighter, has owned his own business, has experience in labour relations, and worked in broadcasting.
“All of those skills I think serve me well and all off those experiences in life, whether political or business or human relations, I think it works well in this type of role because it is a leadership role, but it’s also about communicating and working well with people and being a consensus builder,” he said.
“I felt under Andrew’s leadership I had a lot to contribute in providing advice and I’m going to continue doing that in providing advice to our new Interim Leader Candice Bergen.”
Brassard said he knew about his new role Thursday and is heading back to Ottawa on Sunday to begin the work.
“We’ve got some significant challenges in this country and I think Canadians want us all to be working together regardless of what our ideology is, what our personal beliefs are,” he said. “The magnitude of those challenges require all of us to be working together. We’re seeing a manifestation of people’s frustrations and fears and anxiety now and protests.
“Despite those political differences, this is where I think my strength comes in and I think this is where I’m going to contribute, not just to the leadership table, but also to Parliament as well.”
Also in the Tory leadership team are Tom Kmiec, who will be deputy House leader, Alberta MP Blaine Calkins as chief Opposition whip, Ontario's Lianne Rood as deputy whip and three leftovers from O’Toole’s leadership team - MP Alain Rayes, the Conservatives' Quebec lieutenant, Ontario MP Erin Duncan, caucus secretary, and Alberta MP Tim Uppal, responsible for outreach.
— With files by The Canadian Press
