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Proud to be working as the Chief of Staff for Minister @cathmckenna She is a strong leader and so smart. pic.twitter.com/PeyTkCUwD6 — Marlo Raynolds (@MarloRaynolds) November 5, 2015

Raynolds, who lost in this fall’s election to Conservative MP Blake Richards but has a background in environment and energy, said the first order of business is this fall’s climate change talks.

The upcoming summit in Paris, where the world’s leaders will meet to negotiate an international climate treaty, officially begins in less than four weeks on Nov. 30 and runs until Dec. 11.

Both the federal and provincial governments have said they will work to restore the country’s international reputation on the climate change file.

Alberta is currently renewing its climate change strategy, which is now expected to be released in the week before the Paris talks.

Raynolds, who left his job with a renewable energy company when he was asked by Trudeau to go to Ottawa, said they are getting briefed by department staff before leaving to Paris this Saturday for the first set of meetings.

“We’re looking forward to engaging with other ministers from around the world and setting a new tone for Canada’s role in climate change,” he said, noting he would let the minister speak to the message they want to send.

Photo by Justin Tang / THE CANADIAN PRESS

In an interview with the Ottawa Citizen on Wednesday, McKenna said the federal government wants to show how serious it is about addressing climate change — even reflecting it in the title of her portfolio.

She vowed “a more productive and constructive approach” for Canada on the world stage.

Raynolds, formerly the executive director of the Pembina Institute, said there are other issues they will also need to address immediately.