government whip, jay hill

Harper names longtime British Columbia MP Jay Hill government whip

OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has named longtime MP Jay Hill the chief government whip.

Harper says Hill, who was first elected as a Reformer in 1993, is a capable and respected parliamentarian who is especially suited to the crucial role in a minority government.

The 53-year-old MP from Prince George-Peace River in British Columbia will be sworn in as a privy councillor to better enable him to carry out his duties.

The whip is in charge of party discipline; one of his key roles is to ensure MPs vote the party line.