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Member of Parliament for Davenport Mario Silva is relishing his new role as Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs Responsible for the Americas since his appointment by Liberal Leader Stephane Dion in early November.

"My new role is a great responsibility given the new incoming American administration," said Silva, re-elected for a third term as Davenport MP in October. "There are pressing issues of concern facing Canada and countries across North and South America."

Although he said he was surprised to receive the job as Foreign Affairs Critic, thinking he'd be reassigned Critic for the Treasury Board, Silva brings considerable experience in issues affecting North and South America. His resume boasts chair of the Canada-Brazil and Canada-Mexico Parliamentary Associations as well as vice-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum for the Americas. He has been a strong advocate of closer relations with the Organizations of American States (OAS) and supports Canada's ratification of its American Convention on Human Rights.

"I really enjoy this new challenge and I'm looking forward to working in the department and with my colleagues in the House," he said in an interview with The Villager.

He pointed to the economic challenges as just one of the important issues facing this region. The relationships that exist between nations across North and South America are especially crucial right now, he said. The election of a new American President will certainly play a factor.

"President-elect Barack Obama has spoken of the need to seek change in many areas and we can assume this will also mean change in the relationship the United States has with its fellow nations across the hemisphere," Silva said. "There are clearly significant challenges facing the nations of North and South America, however this is also a time to look forward to seek common ground, develop new relationships and make the best of the great opportunities that are there for Canada and its neighbours across the Americas."

Silva was sworn in as MP in Ottawa Nov. 14 and said this time around it was a rather subdued occasion. Only his cousin, who lives in Ottawa, attended the ceremony compared to the first time when Silva was sworn in as the first Canadian MP of Portuguese descent.

"In 2004, there were 200 people from Toronto who attended, family, friends, supporters," he recalled. "The second time, in 2006, my parents, family came."

Silva says the role of MP is "a great, great privilege."