Lawrence MacAulay appointed to Justin Trudeau cabinet

Lawrence MacAulay has been appointed federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and will be P.E.I.'s representative in the federal cabinet.

It first became clear thatMacAulaywas in the cabinet at about 11 a.m. AT, when he was spotted walking with Justin Trudeau and other cabinet members to Rideau Hall.

• Justin Trudeau, MPs arrive at Rideau Hall for cabinet swearing-in

• Lawrence MacAulay keeps seat in Cardigan

It was almost another hour, however, before the post he would hold was announced.

Lawrence MacAulay is P.E.I.'s longest-serving MP, representing Cardigan since 1988.

He is a former minister of Labour and solicitor general.

MacAulay won a massive victory on election night, Oct. 19, winning 65 per cent of the vote.

Reaction from CBC P.E.I.'sFacebook page was overwhelminglypositive.

"Lawrence has proven himself to Islanders for years. P.E.I.couldn't ask for a better voice in Ottawa," saidScott Marlin.