Rona Ambrose appoints Scott Armstrong to shadow Conservative cabinet

A recently-defeated Conservative member of parliament from Nova Scotia has been named by Rona Ambroseto the Conservative shadow cabinet Friday.

Scott Armstrong, who represented Cumberland-Colchester until losing in October's federal election,is now critic for Atlantic Canada.

This is afirst step in rebuilding after the party's region-wide shut out, Armstrong said.

Armstrong only unelected shadow cabinet member

"Even though we have no membersit was all government members electedAtlantic Canadians are still going to have an opportunity to challenge the government when the government needs to be challenged," Armstrong told CBC News.

After serving two terms in the riding, he was defeated by Liberal Bill Casey, who was previously a member of the Conservative Party himself.

Armstrong also has been appointed the critic for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, which does not have its own government cabinet minister.

This makes Armstrong the only unelected person named to the shadow cabinet.

Armstrong positioningfor comeback

Interim Conservative LeaderRonaAmbrose will payArmstrong around $60,000 per yearas a staff member in her office.That is around a$100,000 drop from his pay as an MP.

Armstrong will be based in Nova Scotia and speak for the Conservatives in the mediapositioning himself for a comeback run.

"That's fair. I really enjoyed being an MP. I worked hard. I thought I did a good job, despite the results," Armstrong said. "I still think the Conservative party can resonate in Atlantic Canada."

In appointing Armstrong,Ambrose by-passed Conservative senators from the region. Armstrong said his appointment will help theparty rebuild.

"Ithink that message starts this week, with the leader making sure she is sending a message to Atlantic Canadians that they matter," Armstrong said.

Not the first time

This is not the first time an unelected person has been appointed to a position normally held by a member of parliament.

In 1997, the federal Liberal partylost all 11 seats in Nova Scotia. Liberal Senator Al Graham was put in the Jean Chrtiencabinet as regional minister for the province.

As the dispenser of federal money,Graham had more clout than Scott Armstrong will today. Armstrong iscritic of an agencyACOAthat no longer hasits own cabinet minister.