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Peter Bevan-Baker, leader of the Green party caucus, announced appointments to shadow critic roles today.

With eight elected Green MLAs – the most ever for the party – Bevan-Baker said he’s impressed by the quality of the members.

“They bring with them a diverse range of lived experience, and they are all committed to working for the benefit of their constituents and all Islanders with enthusiasm and integrity,” he said in a news release.

As an opposition caucus, the Greens will work “closely and collaboratively” with the executive council while holding government to account, he said.

“I am personally looking forward to embracing the new tone of civility and spirit of co-operation that has been promised by Premier King.”

The Green MLAs, who will be assuming their critic roles immediately, have been named to the following positions:

Trish Altass – health and wellness; fisheries and communities

Michele Beaton – finance; agriculture and land

Hannah Bell – social development and housing

Karla Bernard – education and lifelong learning; status of women

Ole Hammarlund – economic growth, tourism and culture

Stephen Howard – transportation, infrastructure and energy; justice and public safety

Lynne Lund – environment, water and climate change

Peter Bevan-Baker – intergovernmental affairs; indigenous affairs; acadian and francophone affairs

In addition, Bevan-Baker announced that Bell has been named house leader and Lund will be party whip.

On the appointment of Lund as party whip, Bevan-Baker said the Green party doesn’t whip votes and considered the possibility of not naming a whip. However, he said the whip has other important functions, such as ensuring members are in the chamber when votes occur and allocating time, so all members have a fair opportunity to present their ideas.