Liberals announce critic roles

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae announced who will go toe-to-toe with the government's cabinet ministers, putting in place the party's critics heading into the new parliamentary session.

Long-time Regina, Sask., MP Ralph Goodale will act as Rae's right-hand man, continuing in the deputy leader role.

New Brunswick MP Dominic Leblanc, who has formerly held the defence critic position, will take over from Rae as foreign affairs critic. He'll be facing off against the notoriously aggressive John Baird, the new minister in the file.

Scott Brison will stay on as finance critic, up against Minister Jim Flaherty.

Former astronaut and Montreal MPMarc Garneau will replace Ottawa MP David McGuinty as Liberal house leader, going up against Government House Leader Peter Van Loan. McGuinty will take on the natural resources file,

Newfoundland and Labrador MP Judy Foote will be in charge of maintaining party discipline as the Liberal whip.

Quebec MP Francis Scarpaleggia was elected caucus chair during its meeting Wednesday and will run the party's closed-door meetings.

"We've got a very talented team. We want to focus on the issues that matter to Canadians," Rae said.

Rae said the party, now made up of 34 MPs and 45 senators, had a candid discussion at Wednesday morning's caucus.

"The advantage of a smaller group is that you can have very direct conversations. It's bigger than a phone booth and we've got lots of talented people who've got lots to say and are willing to serve," he said.

"I think you're going to see us a very feisty, very effective party in opposition. We accept the role that the Canadian people have given us. We've taken our lumps and our licks and we're going to be back in the House very eagerly tomorrow and Friday."

MPs will meet in the House of Commons Thursday to vote for a new Speaker to replace Peter Milliken, who retired this spring after 10 years in the role. Both the Senate and House will meet Friday for the Speech from the Throne to open the new session.

Complete list of Liberal critics:

Ralph Goodale Deputy Leader

Marc Garneau House Leader

Kevin Lamoureux Deputy House Leader and Critic for Citizenship and Immigration

Judy Foote Whip

Massimo Pacetti Deputy Whip and Critic for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

Francis Scarpaleggia National Caucus Chair and Critic for Public Safety and Water Policy

Scott Andrews Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Mauril Blanger Official Languages

Carolyn Bennett Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Scott Brison Finance and National Revenue

Gerry Byrne Public Accounts, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Atlantic Gateway

Sean Casey Veterans Affairs and Associate Justice Critic

Denis Coderre Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Irwin Cotler Justice and Human Rights

Rodger Cuzner Human Resources & Skills Development and Labour

Stphane Dion Intergovernmental Affairs, the Queens Privy Council of Canada, Democratic Reform and La Francophonie

Kirsty Duncan Environment

Wayne Easter International Trade

Mark Eyking International Cooperation

Hedy Fry Health

Rodger Cuzner Fisheries, Oceans & Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Ted Hsu Science and Technology, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Jim Karygiannis Multiculturalism

David McGuinty Natural Resources

Dominic Leblanc Foreign Affairs

Lawrence MacAulay Fisheries and Oceans

John McKay National Defence

John McCallum Treasury Board, Public Works & Government Services, Housing and Government Operations

Joyce Murray Small Business and Tourism, Asia - Pacific Gateway and Western Economic Diversification

Geoff Regan Industry and Consumer Affairs

Scott Simms Canadian Heritage

Judy Sgro Seniors, Pensions and the Status of Women

Justin Trudeau Post Secondary Education, Youth and Amateur Sport

Frank Valeriote Agriculture & Agri-Food, Rural Affairs and Auto Policy