Opposition Leader Stephen Harper announced his shadow cabinet on Thursday, maintaining two high-profile Tory MPs in key positions.

Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper

Harper says the 40 members of his shadow cabinet, critics appointed to mirror Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal cabinet, are an "exciting and capable front bench."

Harper's key lieutenants include Peter MacKay, returning as the party's deputy leader and now critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and John Reynolds, returning as House Leader while taking on the new task of Sport critic.

Other Conservative critics include:
  • Monte Solberg - Finance
  • Belinda Stronach - International Trade
  • Stockwell Day - Foreign Affairs
  • Bob Mills - Environment
  • Gordon O'Connor - National Defence
  • Rob Nicholson - Transport
  • Jim Prentice - Indian Affairs and Northern Development
  • Loyola Hearn - Fisheries and Oceans
  • Chuck Strahl - Deputy House Leader, Democratic Reform
  • Diane Ablonczy - Citizenship and Immigration
  • Scott Reid - Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
  • Rahim Jaffer - Infrastructure and Communities

He called his party a true alternative to the Liberals and an alternative government for a country that needs a new government.

"The Conservatives are the most powerful official Opposition around this place in 25 years," said Harper.

The Conservatives won 99 seats in the June 28 federal election.