Shadow Cabinet Shuffle Disappoints

Many Ukrainian Canadians had high expectations upon the news earlier this month that Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff was to shuffle his shadow cabinet. Expectations were that after an absence of almost 2 years from shadow cabinet, and building on his appointment last fall as Special Advisor on Emerging Democracies to the Liberal Leader, Etobicoke Centre MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj would again be appointed an Opposition critic in the House of Commons.

As a Member of Parliament, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj has a reputation for working tirelessly among all parts of his diverse constituency and beyond, concurrently promoting his party and demonstrating public solidarity with its leader.  Those of us who admire and support someone of his calibre believe that many of Mr. Wrzesnewskyj’s caucus colleagues share in our disappointment that an MP of his work ethic, integrity, experience, and broad appeal was overlooked for a critic’s role by the Leader of the Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

While not an “ethnic politician”, as evidenced by the broad backing and impressive margins of victory he has garnered in three consecutive elections, much of Mr. Wrzesnewskyj’s electoral support comes from his having consistently spoken out on issues that are critical to many ethnic communities – a reputation that resonates from coast to coast.  In this regard, his concerted efforts to overcome strained relations between Mr. Ignatieff and the Ukrainian Canadian community were noticed and brought mutually positive results. This confounds us further as to why Mr. Wrzesnweskyj was passed over.

It behooves every Canadian political party to keep in mind there is an expectation that where elected representatives of Ukrainian heritage from their parties work hard, are competent, and are clearly “cabinet material”, they should receive their due in terms of political responsibility.  This is more than a reasonable expectation from the Ukrainian Canadian community, one that has played a very significant role in building this nation.