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The NDP’s new shadow cabinet will be fronted by parliamentary veterans with leader Tom Mulcair handling the contentious energy portfolio.

All 44 New Democrat MPs have been given opposition critic responsibilities with a roughly 50-50 male-female ratio.

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As energy critic, Mulcair will almost certainly be drawn into the debate over the proposed Energy East pipeline, which is not popular in his home province of Quebec. During the recent election campaign, Mulcair was accused of waffling on the issue, saying he generally supported the pipeline but wants a tougher federal pipeline review process.

Long-time MP David Christopherson, NDP deputy leader in the last Parliament, will serve as public safety critic as the new Liberal government overhauls the controversial Bill C-51 national security legislation, which the NDP vehemently opposes. Christopherson, a former Ontario minister of correctional services and solicitor-general, also will chair the party’s priorities and planning committee.