Abbotsford MP Ed Fast has been named environment critic in the Official Opposition’s shadow clinic, interim Conservative Party leader Rona Ambrose announced Friday morning.
Fast, who won his riding for the fourth time in October, had previously served at International Trade Minister under Stephen Harper.
Fast’s appointment comes just weeks before the start of the annual United Nations Conference on Climate Change, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has planned to attend.
In a press release issued Friday, Fast said: “I look forward to working with the new Liberal government as it seeks to promote Canada’s environmental interests over the next four years.”
This is Fast’s first stint as part of the opposition, as he was first elected federally in the 2006 election that swept his Conservatives to power.
“We will make it very clear that any national commitments to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions must be part of a larger global agreement that includes all major emitters, does not unfairly penalize Canada’s energy industry, and maintains Canada’s economic competitiveness.”
In the release, Fast also stressed that he will press the government to continue to expand protected parkland and address air pollution in Canada’s cities.
“I look forward to my new role and to being an effective member of such a dynamic Conservative team,” Fast said in the release.
