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Gail Shea adds ACOA to cabinet duties

Egmont MP Gail Shea

Egmont MP Gail Shea

Published on February 22, 2013
Published on February 22, 2013
Teresa Wright  RSS Feed

National Revenue Minister and Egmont MP Gail Shea has added the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to her list of portfolios, thanks to a cabinet shuffle in Ottawa today.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced changes to his federal ministry this morning following a private swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall.

“Our government is focused on keeping taxes low for Canadian families and businesses and it is an honour to serve Canadians as their minister of national revenue,” Shea said in a written statement to The Guardian Friday.

“I would like to thank Prime Minister Harper for the opportunity to now also serve as the minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.”

Today’s shuffle was needed to fill the void caused by the resignation from cabinet of former Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan over a letter he sent to tax court on behalf of a constituent two years ago.

New Brunswick MP Bernard Valcourt was named the new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. His previous portfolios were distributed to other members of parliament.

Shea was given ACOA, Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney was given La Francophonie and BC MP Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay was appointed as Associate Minister of National Defence.

Shea said Friday she is pleased with the additional duties that have been entrusted to her with the addition of ACOA to her cabinet portfolio.

“As a proud Maritimer I know that Atlantic Canada has an important role to play in the creation of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in the Canadian economy and our Government’s investments are helping Atlantic Canadians seize new opportunities to build more competitive, innovative and productive businesses.”

 

twright@theguardian.pe.ca

 

JUST THE FACTS

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the following changes to the Ministry at a private swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall:

– Bernard Valcourt, as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development;

– Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, as Associate Minister of National Defence

– Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, has been appointed Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

– Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will assume responsibility for La Francophonie.

Comments

  • Username
    Belfast Guy
    - February 25, 2013 at 19:30:17

    Why is it that the only one being critized is Gail Shea, she earns her salary, what about the hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent by the liberal MP's who have no duties, Gail does all the work and takes all the abuse. What about the $500,000. the liberals got from the PNP, I wonder how the RCMP investigation is going.

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  • Username
    wagster
    - February 24, 2013 at 11:56:11

    I guess this means Kevin MacAdam will get his $150,000 a year director's job reinstated directly by the minister. What a joke this country is.

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  • Username
    Island Boy
    - February 23, 2013 at 19:20:04

    Shea of the "vanishing vote" persona is rewarded for her absence. Hope she will not wonder at the numbers absent at her poll come election time.

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  • Username
    Mel
    - February 23, 2013 at 19:00:54

    ACOA is a taxpayers nightmare, patronage and payoffs. The latest was the ACOA millions going to payoff for silencing gig at UPEI, isn't that right Murphy? But, nice weather, a few millions in a ridiculous research project can silence the best of people. Now there is a story there.

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  • Username
    Minister for a big waste of taxpayers' money
    - February 23, 2013 at 01:43:07

    So, Gail gets a new appointment, good for her. Meanwhile, 'big brother' is knocking on taxpayers' doors who are collecting UIC, a fund they paid into to. Gail gets a new appointment in exchange for backstabbing Islanders and walking out of the House before the vote. What goes around comes around, and you know those 'good ol' boys' are sharpening their knives, they want even more from the ACOA patronage trough, they have been there for years, and getting greedier...and we all know what happens to anyone who dares to stand up to the boys. And we now know what a backbone little Gail has when it comes to standing up for Islanders who elected her to represent them. Orwell just had misjudged the year, not 1984, is it, Gail. "War is peace; freedom is slavery; ignorance is strength" and big brother is knocking down doors to check on anyone who is drawing UIC. What a pathetic government, what a pathetic representation we have on the Island.

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  • Username
    Shea backstabbed islanders
    - February 23, 2013 at 01:11:26

    Backstabbinng Islanders to get to the trough. Pretty bad situation. Nothing new for these bunch of creepy politicians, both federal and provincial, as patronage, payoffs, backstabbing the taxpayers and anyone who is not in the connected circle, has destroyed this island. Greedy and corrupted politicians- that is the theme for this Island that has destroyed this place and the reason people have to leave to find work. ACOA, what a joke, about as helpful as Shea, Duff, backroom boys, and might as well add the provincial liberals as well. Sorry bunch of thieves who lost sight of their purpose which was to help and represent islanders, not to rip us off and look out for your self-serving narrow minded selves.

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  • Username
    ACOA and Shea never helped Islanders
    - February 23, 2013 at 00:56:50

    ACOA is a waste of taxpayers monies just like Shea. Shea just another politician that is looking out for herself and a few political and connected friends and of course, is given pay-off with a promotion to one of the biggest troughs the pigs can drain. Disgraceful representation, Islanders have NO representation None at the provincial; none at the federal. What a bunch of crooks.

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  • Username
    Political Foe
    - February 22, 2013 at 18:48:27

    Time to ship Gail (puppett) Shea and Duffy as far away from this Island as possible.What a giant waste of tax-payers money these two suck ups are,worst in history..

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  • Bill Kays
    Bill Kays
    - February 22, 2013 at 18:16:27

    Reward for walking out on the vote last week. If I was her I would be scared of losing her salvation. Oh, I forgot, her God Harper has already resurrected her before and she gets to sit on the right hand of the EVIL ONE, MR HARPER.

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  • Username
    sick
    - February 22, 2013 at 18:05:50

    wow, backroom boys making a list and checking it twice, patronage, wasted money, useless

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  • Username
    appointment for betraying islanders
    - February 22, 2013 at 17:58:32

    now we know why she walked out instead of having a backbone and voting for the those who need UIC. Close this waste of money agency and put it towards seasonal workers. Can the liberals and tories sink any lower?? probably yes, but horrible, horrible behavior for both parties.

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  • Username
    ACOA disgraceful waste of money for patronage
    - February 22, 2013 at 17:54:49

    ACOA the worst waste of money, pure political patronage payoffs, not one bit of money helps the average Islander looking for a descent job, but puts lots of money into the political connected pockets. It should have been shut down long ago. Put that money towards UIC, at least it would be going to hard working seasonal workers. Sick of wasting millions funnelled to pay off friends, and for favors. Of course, this makes sense why the back room boys are sucking up to her. They have used ACOA for lots of favors and paybacks- CLOSE it, get the millions, if not billions back,

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    • Username
      Get it right
      - February 23, 2013 at 00:45:32

      - Every aerospace company on PEI - Countless tourism operations - Every video game company on PEI - Community facilities all across the Island - Every biosector company on PEI Yep - definitely nothing there for the average Islander. I challenge you to find a major employer on PEI that fits into ACOAs mandate that hasn't had their help

    • Username
      Got it right the first time
      - February 23, 2013 at 22:16:25

      there is not an ACOA project that is nothing but a WASTE of taxpayers money. Yes, lots of pigs at the trough, doesn't make it right, worthwhile, or a justified use of money. PAY OFFS for unethical behavior, patronage, useless WASTE of money. You forgot the payoffs for silencing the unethical behavior at UPEI, with millions going to fund a most stupid, down right stupid, research project. How do you justify that? What a joke! Unfortunately, at the cost of taxpayers, Pigs at the trough, ACOA. Enough said.

  • Username
    marlowe blue
    - February 22, 2013 at 17:05:19

    Well i quess we all know now what the personal matter was that caused her to turn her back on islanders...she needed to discuss what was in it for her to turn her back on all islanders,...i hope she finds it was worth her while to turn her back on the people who put her there.

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  • Username
    country boy
    - February 22, 2013 at 16:57:44

    And you wonder why the government doesn't pay any attention to PEI.

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  • Username
    disgusted
    - February 22, 2013 at 15:22:18

    Whoopie!!

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  • Username
    The Next Question
    - February 22, 2013 at 13:48:36

    Does this mean that the PEI ACOA office will move to the Egmont riding?

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  • Username
    will phillip brown be the new head of ACOA
    - February 22, 2013 at 13:35:08

    Here is a great way to get rid of Phillip Brown.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Good job
    - February 22, 2013 at 13:25:47

    The EI problem is no joke ..people were and are abusing it ............they can't do this or they can't do that,they only want to work 6-7 months a year,they have to activly look for work while on EI ..........meanwhile we bring in ,Russian,Mexican and Phillipino workers to do jobs ,locals will not do...........The Tories had the balls to do it ..where the liberals and socialists used it as a political tool....

    Submit a comment

    • Username
      wise up
      - February 23, 2013 at 01:23:11

      Bingo(good job) go to the head of the class, that is why the wages are in the toilet on P E I it's those people bringing in Russian Phillipino and Mexican workers. the fish prossessing plants and mussel plants in eastern P E I used to be full of islandres and now i know people who did not get their jobs back after xmas, and the potatoe holding plant in rollo bay is now full of mexicans, and thats down to Irvings , so your big rant means very little you sir are just trying to piss people off why not do the island a favor and can it, you sure not doing it any good.

    • Username
      Henry Sow
      - February 23, 2013 at 07:22:37

      Hear, Hear. Well said. Couldn't have described the situation here in PEI any better. There are jobs available but people just don't want to work full time, especially in winter. Too used to staying home and getting paid for it. Congrats to Gail and she has my confidence in her abilities. I know she will work hard for Islanders and Maritimers alike. That's about all we can hope for because our Provincial Liberal government has our Province in ruins.

  • Username
    You are welcome
    - February 22, 2013 at 12:47:39

    There's your bonus for being quiet in the EI joke.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Go ahead shut down acoa right away Gail baby
    - February 22, 2013 at 12:46:42

    Put all the deadwood on the street to look for work. Fire everyone at ACOA and shut it down and countersue any fools that sue for jobs they were never able to do.

    Submit a comment

    • Username
      Drew
      - February 22, 2013 at 17:58:35

      Are you jealous of the people that work at ACOA?

    • Username
      Shut ACOA down
      - February 23, 2013 at 21:55:01

      Never jeolous of incompetent suck ups who could never get a job in the real world. Everyone is aware that ACOA is a waste of taxpayers money, filled with the patronage people who do what they are told by the silent non-elected back room backstabbers. How could anyone be jeolous of people who are the pond scum of society. Those that feed off taxpayers and give nothing back except "BS" projects that are so stupid they could never be justified. Not jeolous, just very disgusted.

  • Username
    Pork time
    - February 22, 2013 at 12:42:24

    Great to see the Atlantic Pork Barrel land on Gail's lap.

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