Brison Named New Environment Critic

Bravo Brison! What a great position for him. He has recently been appointed as Environment Critic in the Liberal Shadow Cabinet.

I have heard some say... Environment? Really? Lets not forget the new policy on Green Procurement that he implemented while Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.

"The federal government is one of the biggest purchasers in Canada, buying roughly $13 billion in goods and services every year. We need to buy green if we want to protect our environment and help Canadian companies establish a competitive advantage over our trading partners based on environmental sustainability," said the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services.

While Minister, he also implemented the Office of Greening Government Operations which provides a government-wide centre of expertise and leadership on environmental issues. The office provides guidance to the greater federal community on issues including green procurement, green property management, recycling and waste management, and remediation of contaminated sites.

In addition, Mr. Brison remains active in regards to the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens in Nova Scotia and is extremely involved in the clean-up project. It was Mr. Brison who recommended to the Minister of Environment that the environmental assessment of the clean-up be done by a panel review. The Federal Government has committed $400 million to the clean-up of the Tar Pond and it was his hope to ensure that the clean-up met appropriate standards.

Also! I thought this was worth mentioning! While Minister of Public Works, Mr. Brison entered PWGSC into the National Capital Region Transit Pass Program allowing employees to purchased discounted annual transit passes through monthly deductions. I recognize that maybe it is only a small step, but I think small steps are crucial in meeting our Kyoto targets. I also think it's great that Mr. Brison seems to be constantly considering ways to improve business within government while strongly considering the ramifications that new policies and procedures will have on the environment.

I believe Mr. Brison will prove to be a fantastic Environment Critic and this post will certainly provide him with the opportunity to show off his social policy side. (I actually feel a little sorry for Rona Ambrose... she's in for it!)

For a full list of critics click here.

Just as a side note... I always thought that it was really great how Mr. Brison has incorporated a section entitled "Green Watch" on his Member of Parliament website. It easily links you to all of the new "green" programs and initiatives being implemented by the federal government. I have never come across something like that on other MP sites... I thought it was a nice touch!

"Brison and that je ne sais quoi"

Speculation grows that Nova Scotia MP, Scott Brison, will be seeking the Liberal Leadership. A Nova Scotia newspaper, The Chronicle Herald, published an article today attempting to confirm just that.

Mr. Brison has recently returned from a week of French Immersion in Montreal, something that the Nova Scotia MP is known for doing quite frequently.

This past Wednesday evening in Ottawa, at the nightclub Social, Brison hosted a party with potential supporters for his leadership bid. Among the guests were volunteers close to other potential leadership contenders such as Joe Volpe and Ken Dryden. Also in attendance were Nova Scotia MP Mike Savage and Senator Jim Cowan. Other known political staffers from NS included Chris MacInnes, Greg MacEachern and Sheryl Stewart.

A notable volunteer, and healthy addition to the Brison Camp is Ms. Leslie Swartman. Ms. Swartman worked on Paul Martin’s 1990 Liberal leadership campaign and worked for Jean Chretien when he was Opposition Leader. She most recently worked for former transport minister Jean Lapierre, Mr. Martin’s Quebec lieutenant. She had this to say about Mr. Brison:

"Everybody’s seen how great he is in the House of Commons, and how well he represented and defended the Liberal party. He’s very personable. He has a good wit. He’s very media-savvy. Bright. Articulate. He’s a good package. Philosophically, I’m with him. He’s a fiscal conservative but liberal on the social side."

The Chronicle also reported that Nova Scotia Senator Jane Cordy is also anticipating supporting Mr. Brison if he decides to run.

"He’s done an excellent job of minister of public works," she said. "He’s young and energetic."

Team Brison continues to expand.

"Accountability means being in the House"

Scott Brison spoke out today regarding the recent appointment of Michael Fortier to the Senate. He went as far as quoting Steven Harper shortly before the conclusion of this past election.

On January 13, 2006 Stephen Harper Said:

"Our system itself must have integrity. A system with democratic integrity is one in which those who sit in the Parliament of Canada, including senators, are elected."

That was before he became Prime Minister.

In his Op-Ed piece Mr. Brison also addresses the problems the House will now face as a result of having a non-elected member in control of the Public Works and Government Services portfolio.

For more information please visit Scott's Op-Ed piece that appeared in today's National Post.

Scott Brison for Liberal Leader!

Welcome to the Unofficial Site to Elect Scott Brison as Liberal Leader.

Bienvenue au site web non officiel pour élire Scott Brison comme chef Libéral.

It is the intent of this site to demonstrate why Scott Brison should be the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Although he has yet to formally enter the race, the team at "Go Brison!" is excited to get our message out.

On January 29th, 2006 Scott Brison appeared on CTV Question Period and stated that he has not yet made a decision on whether or not he will throw his hat into the Liberal Leadership Race. To view the full interview with Jane Taber click here.

Stay tuned for more from Team Brison.

Brison: Beyond the Blog

Scott Brison resides in Cheverie, Nova Scotia, on the shores of the Minas Basin, home of the world's highest tides. He was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia on May 10th, 1967. In 1989, he graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance. While completing his studies, Mr. Brison financed his education and developed his entrepreneurial skills by building two small businesses.

Mr. Brison has won election to the House of Commons in four general elections: June 1997, November 2000, June 2004 and January 2006. He served as Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Receiver General of Canada, from 2004 to 2006, the youngest member of Prime Minister Paul Martin's cabinet. He also served on three cabinet committees including Treasury Board, Domestic Affairs and Expenditure Review. Mr. Brison previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with special emphasis on Canada-U.S. Relations.

He has also served as Vice-Chairman and member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates.

Mr. Brison is a member of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group and has served as the vice-president of the Canadian group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. In this role he has participated in Inter-Parliamentary Union conferences in Moscow, and New York. He also served as a member of the Canadian delegation to two annual meetings of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London.

Mr. Brison has had extensive private sector experience ranging from business start-ups and U.S. market development to serving as Vice-President of a Canadian investment firm.
In his spare time Mr. Brison is a competitive runner and has successfully completed three New York City marathons. He enjoys economics, foreign policy, sea kayaking, tennis, and downhill skiing.