Damoff got a promotion - her boss didn't. That leaves Damoff as just another back bencher.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

November 25th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North Burlington,  may have thought she had gotten a break when she was made Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health.

It didn’t work out that way. Despite getting a whopping margin over the Conservative candidate former Ministry of Health Ginette Petitpas Taylor was not invited back into Cabinet.

She was appointed the Deputy House Whip – that’s not even a sideways move.

Damoff with Miin Health

Pam Damoff in conversation with former Ministry of Health Ginette Petitpas Taylor. Damoff had been appointed her Parliamentary Assistant

Damoff of course held her Oakville North Burlington seat by a respectable margin. During her first term of office she didn’t embarrass herself and she was a very strong advocate on women’s issues – but she didn’t shine.

The appointment as a Parliamentary Assistant was a good career boost though it seemed as if she was on a Snakes and Ladders Board – and had slid down a couple of notches.

In her Newsletter to constituency residents Damoff said:

“A month ago, Canadians chose to re-elect a Liberal government on an ambitious and achievable platform that will help more people make ends meet, make life easier for parents and families, protect our environment, and keep our economy strong and growing. While I am proud of our accomplishments over the last four years, there is much more work to be done, and I am excited to get started.

“We were elected with the only plan that takes climate change seriously, recognizing it for the threat it poses to our economy, health, public safety and way of life, and we have the experience and the capacity to deliver on our commitments.

Damoff polar ear dip

It was as cold as it looks: Pam Damoff, centre doing a New Years Day Polar Dip

“Building on the work we did over the last four years, we will make sure young people have access to education, housing and employment by enhancing Canada Student Loans, investing in jobs for youth, and making home ownership more accessible. We will make our communities safer and healthier with a ban on military-style assault rifles and the introduction of a national universal pharmacare plan.

We will continue to be a strong voice for Canada on the world stage, and we will always stand up for the rights of Canadians — for women’s reproductive and sexual health, for LGBTQ Canadians, for indigenous people and for those living with a disability.

What Damoff didn’t say was if she was going to do that Polar Dip thing on New Year’s Day.

Return to the Front page
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

1 comment to Damoff got a promotion – her boss didn’t. That leaves Damoff as just another back bencher.

  • Stephen White

    Ginette Petitpas-Taylor was easily one of the most professional and competent Cabinet Ministers in Justin Trudeau’s first government. Why he would demote her while retaining lesser lights like Maryam Moussef and Bardish Chaggar is a complete mystery.

    For all his sanctimonious prattling about feminism, diversity and inclusion the PM continually demonstrates an inability to deal with smart, tough and capable women. Little wonder Jane Philpott and Jody Wilson-Raybould found themselves on the “outs” with their boss.