Former army commander Andrew Leslie appointed Liberal Party whip

The country's former army commanderwill marshaltroops of a different kind withhis new appointment asLiberal governmentwhip in the next session of parliament.

Andrew Leslie, who was elected MP for the Ottawa-area riding of Orlans in the lastelection, has been tapped by Prime Minister Justin Trudeauto stepinto the role just before the House of Commons returns on Dec. 3.

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"I have every confidencein the remarkable abilities of retired Lieutenant-GeneralAndrewLeslie," Trudeau said in a written statement.

"He will ensure that our members in Parliament are in the right places at the right time, and ensure that we remain focused on implementing our plan for a positive, ambitious, open, and transparent government."

Lesliewas Canada's top commander in Afghanistan, and the author of a landmark report on transforming the Canadian Forces for the 21st century withfindings that put him at odds with some of the top brass at the Department of National Defence.

Hewas considered a shoo-in for a cabinet spot when he announced he was running for the Liberals, but was left out of the mix, as was former Toronto police chief Bill Blair.

Enforcer-in-chief

The whip is a crucial role in the Westminster parliamentary system of government. Each official party in the House has a person who ensures enough party members are in the chamber for debates and votes. They also determinewhich committees a party member will sit on, assign office spaceand seats in the House.

They also act as a sort of enforcer-in-chief keeping MPs on script and focused on the priorities of the prime minister and his cabinet.

Trudeauis following the lead of hispredecessor,Stephen Harper, inappointing a soldier as whip for thegoverning party.

Gordon O'Connor, who served for over 30 years in the Canadian Forces andretired in the rank ofbrigadier-general, was chief government whip for the Conservatives from 2008 to 2013, includinga precarioustime when the the party was in minority government and could live or die on a single vote.

But Lesliemight have an easier go of it than his predecessors.

The Liberal platform says MPs will only be required to toe theparty line in votes on campaign promises, traditional matters ofconfidence such as the budget and on questions of values and charterrights notably the issue of abortion, which Trudeau has said is not up for debate.

The whip's job pays $28,420 on top of the regular MP salary ofjust under $168,000.

Orlans elects Liberal Andrew Leslie

9 years ago

Duration 0:31

Liberal candidate Andrew Leslie elected in Orlans, defeats Tory incumbent Royal Galipeau