Shields named Shadow Minister

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bow River Riding MP Martin Shields has been appointed Deputy Shadow Minister for Indigenous Services by Conservative Party of Canada leader, Erin O’Toole. 

Shields’ new station was announced on Nov. 10, alongside Shadow Minister for Indigenous Services, MP Jamie Schmale. 

“It’s not that I need titles, but it’s a file that’s very interesting in this area, so (I’m) happy he considered me for that,” said Shields.

Previously, Shields has held a similar role duty-wise to his newly appointed station when he worked on the Heritage Committee, though clarified he does not have previous experience in an official title position directly relating to Indigenous First Nations.

“I am not Indigenous, so do I bring a background of knowledge of having been Indigenous, or Metis, or Innuit? No … but I have grown up in Southern Alberta, Indigenous cultures were always something that I was aware of,” he said. “I am not an expert on Indigenous (peoples) in the sense of their culture and their lives, but it is my responsibility as an MP to represent the people in my riding and now in a broader position, country-wide to work on the issues under that specific piece of legislation.”

The Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet consists of members of the opposition party and is responsible for holding the government to account, as well as developing, disseminating and critiquing policy positions.

The current Shadow Cabinet consists of 82 MP’s from the Conservative Party of Canada, including the shadow ministers and their deputies. Shields explained these positions will generally shift after each term or election.

“In the federal cabinet, some people (have) kept their portfolios, others were changed. That can happen anytime during a session, or for whatever reason somebody decides they can no longer do it or the leader decides maybe (on) somebody else,” said Shields.

The new position will come with its own host of committee work, notably with the Indigenous committee.

It also means Shields will be expected to be knowledgeable on particular issues pertaining to Indigenous peoples and be able to speak to them in Parliament. Similarly, Shields may be asked as part of researching an issue for a committee, to find people who might be able to speak knowledgably to the committee.

“(Myself and my staff) would do research so that (we) would be familiar with it … make speeches about it (and we) may be asked to make presentations to caucus about it,” said Shields. “Then if your party is taking a specific position, you would also get asked to do the research on that and be able to speak about it.”

With Siksika Nation as part of the Bow River Riding, Shields hopes to strengthen his relations with them, as well as work to better relations with Indigenous peoples country-wide.