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Worth noting, perhaps, is that while the Liberals have filled all but one of their designated slots with first-time MPs, the Conservatives are sending three of their most formidable MPs on to what is, at least from their party’s perspective, a key battlefield.

Arrayed on the opposition side of the table will be former cabinet minister Jason Kenney and democratic reform critic Scott Reid. Both have been at the forefront of their party’s ongoing charge in the Commons. Also at the table is Gerard Deltell, who may be new to Ottawa but who has already been dubbed a rising star in the post-Harper caucus.

Kenney is a particularly intriguing choice. Not only does he not have a public critic role, instead serving as chair of the Shadow Cabinet Committee on Strategic Operations, but he has also been very careful not to rule out a run for the party leadership.

If he were to enter the race, he would be required to stand down from the special committee immediately, which could indicate that he’s leaning towards not doing so. Then again, this new role could give him an immediate boost in visibility, which he might want before joining the fray.

Meanwhile, the New Democrats are sending their two-man democratic reform team, Nathan Cullen – who, of course, recently announced his non-candidacy for that party’s leadership – and Alexandre Boulerice.

Finally, Bloc Quebecois House Leader Luc Theriault and Green Party Leader and lone MP Elizabeth May will round out numbers to an even dozen.