Article content

OTTAWA — Brad Trost, whose socially-conservative supporters helped elect Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, says he isn’t disappointed after his name was left off a list of “shadow ministers” released Wednesday.

With rivals Maxime Bernier and Kellie Leitch publicly falling into line, and a pro-life group also giving their approval, Scheer has faced little criticism from his base. But New Democrats are decrying the appointment of an apparently pro-life MP to the status of women portfolio — even as Tories swear they will not reopen the abortion debate.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Brad Trost, Campaign Life Coalition endorse Scheer's team, as NDP worry about Tory stance on abortion Back to video

Trost had no complaints about the shadow cabinet. “You know, I was actually struck by how much continuity there was,” he said in an interview Thursday.

Ahead of finalizing a roster, Scheer called to consult him, Trost said. “I told him I wanted to give him an absolutely free hand. You need to have people completely say, ‘you have my unqualified support regardless.’ ” Trost has no plans to leave the House and said he prefers being able to comment on more than one file.