Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff has been appointed to the position of Deputy Opposition Whip on new Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole’s leadership team.
The announcement was made in Ottawa this afternoon.
“I consider it an honour and privilege that Erin asked me to do it, so I’ll do my best,” says Ruff.
He explains one responsibility of the Party Whip’s office is to make sure party members are in attendance, “The Whip himself, or herself is basically like the Vice-Principal at a school. You’re sort of in charge of the down-and-in of executing the day-to-day operations of parliamentary procedure for the party, for your MPs and caucus. I’m there to support Blake Richards who is the Chief Whip.”
He says, “I think part of the logic—why Erin gave me the honour of serving as part of the team is that he just knows I’m somebody that’s going to give him frank advice.”
Ruff explains, “It’s not about Alex it’s about what’s best for the country and I’m not afraid to speak up and give him frank advice and provide that feedback, whether it’s from Canadians and the constituents of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound but even the other members of caucus and I’m looking forward to doing my best to fulfill that role.”
Ruff says, “I consider it a privilege to be given the opportunity to help shape things moving forward to benefit all Canadians.”
Meanwhile, Ruff says he expects O’Toole will announce his shadow cabinet sometime next week noting, “I’m confident that Canadians will be impressed with the team he puts together and recognize that there’s a government in waiting sitting there.”
Those named to O’Toole’s Leadership team are as follows:
Hon. Candice Bergen
Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition
Portage-Lisgar
Richard Martel
Quebec Politcal Lieutenant
Chicoutimi-Le Fjord
Gérard Deltell
House Leader of the Official Opposition
Louis-Saint-Laurent
Blake Richards
Chief Opposition Whip
Banff-Airdrie
Karen Vecchio
Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition
Elgin-Middlesex-London
Alex Ruff
Deputy Opposition Whip
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
Hon. Tim Uppal
Caucus-Party Liaison
Edmonton Mill Woods
Tom Kmiec
Conservative National Caucus Chair
Calgary Shepard
Eric Duncan
Question Period Coordinator
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry