Newly re-elected Member of Parliament John Duncan has been re-appointed as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
“I am very honoured to be a part of Prime Minister Harper’s cabinet and to be re-appointed to the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development portfolio,” said Duncan in a press release. “I have had the great opportunity to build important relationships with aboriginal leaders across Canada, sign important tripartite agreements on issues such as education and child and family services, and engage in dialogue and cooperation with First Nation, Inuit and Métis people. I look forward to continuing to work with aboriginal leaders and communities throughout Canada.”
Duncan won the Vancouver Island North seat May 2 after narrowly defeating the NDP's Ronna-Rae Leonard by about 1,800 votes. The win was the sixth for Duncan, who has only been defeated once in the last seven federal elections, but the first time he has been part of a majority government.
Duncan was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development during his last term.
"As the newly re-elected Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North I am also committed to remaining a strong voice for our coastal communities in this government,” said Duncan, who is a long-time resident of Vancouver Island who has worked in the logging industry.