Last Tuesday (Nov. 9) Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole announced his Shadow Cabinet for the 44th Parliament.
Included is Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Karen Vecchio, named Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Shadow Minister for Youth.
She is no stranger to the portfolio, having served as Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality in 2019 and 2020.
Vecchio says she is thrilled to be able to continue the work she began two years ago.
Vecchio advises she looks forward to working in collaborative fashion with colleagues “to implement tangible change.”
An early priority is dealing with human trafficking, particularly along the Hwy. 401 corridor.
Speaking with Vecchio after the Conservative Party’s Shadow Cabinet was introduced, she outlined her priorities.
Vecchio is wasting no time in her new position to ensure women, youth and LGBTQ2+ individuals have strong representation.
And, sexual harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces will also garner close scrutiny from Vecchio.
As for her role as Shadow Minister for Youth, Vecchio indicates she will work with other ministers to find tangible solutions to youth issues like mental health.
Vecchio points out, “Since 2018, I have also held regular youth council meetings to hear from young people in Elgin-Middlesex-London. I look forward to taking this work to the national level and hearing from the next generation of Canadians . . .”
The Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet is composed of members of the main opposition party and is responsible for holding the Government to account and for developing and disseminating the party’s policy positions. Members of the Shadow Cabinet are sometimes referred to as party critics.
