The newly-elected Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP will be part of Erin O’Toole’s shadow cabinet.

Frank Caputo has been named the Shadow Minister for Veteran Affairs. He was part of a 46-member shadow cabinet and an eight-member leadership team that was unveiled by Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole Tuesday morning.

“A great experience so far. I didn’t expect to become a Shadow Minister this early on in my parliamentary career but I welcome the challenge and I am really grateful to Erin O’Toole for putting faith in me for such an important portfolio,” Caputo told NL News.

“I really want to immerse myself and learn and listen as much as possible. One thing that people were telling me during the election was the wait times that veterans were enduring. That is something I would like to see addressed but first I have to listen to really identify the areas of need.”

Last week, Caputo told NL News he was hoping to be given a critic role in either Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, Public Safety, or Justice.

The MP for Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon, Brad Vis, was also named Shadow Minister for Pacific Economic Development. His riding includes Lytton, Ashcroft and Cache Creek.

Longtime Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas has a leading role in the Conservative cabinet as critic for Environment and Climate Change. Albas’ riding includes Merritt and Logan Lake.

Shuswap MP Mel Arnold was not included in O’Toole’s cabinet.

The House of Commons will sit for its fall legislative session starting on Nov. 22.

– With files from Victor Kaisar

I am deeply honoured during Remembrance week to be appointed Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

I look forward to fighting for the continued recognition and wellbeing of Canada’s veterans. pic.twitter.com/3U8HYlUqyg

— Frank Caputo (@FrankCaputoKTC) November 9, 2021