15 members of Parliament to watch in 2015

As Parliament embarks on its final session before this year's federal election, certain MPs are bound to stand out amongst the rest.

Here's a list of some key members of Parliament to watch in 2015.

CONSERVATIVE

Jason Kenney

The Employment and Social Development minister is a rising star in the Conservative Party. Kenney is known for exuding confidence on his files and being one of the government's top representatives on key issues outside of his area of focus. Rumours of his leadership ambitions are no secret, so political watchers will be keeping a close on his role in the upcoming federal election. 

Joe Oliver

With a delayed federal budget and collapsing oil prices, every statement and comment from Finance Minister Joe Oliver will be scrutinized. For years, the Conservatives have been promising a balanced budget in 2015, so Oliver is under a lot of pressure to take the lead during this pivotal year for the party's economic policy.

Steven Blaney

The Public Safety minister will also have a busy year ahead, as the government studies two Conservative anti-terror bills to fight homegrown terrorism. The Conservatives tabled its first anti-terror bill, officially known as the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act, last year, after two soldiers - Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo - were killed in separate attacks in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. and Ottawa. The government described both incidents as terrorist attacks. The second bill will be tabled later this week in the House of Commons.

Erin O'Toole

The new minister of Veterans Affairs heads into his first sitting as a member of cabinet after replacing former embattled minister Julian Fantino last year. Prior to his appointment, O'Toole, a former Canadian Forces member, regularly represented the government on veterans issues. He has a tough job ahead of him as he aims to improve the government's relationship with veterans. During Fantino’s time as minister, Veterans Affairs Canada came under fire from the auditor general, the veterans ombudsman, veterans groups, and the opposition parties.

Michael Chong

The House of Commons will continue to study Chong's private members' bill, known as the Reform Act. The legislation would put power back in the hands of MPs, allowing them to remove an abusive leader and have final say on who can sit in their caucus. Chong has faced criticism for weakening the bill since his first version was initially tabled in December 2013. 

Daryl Kramp

Kramp is the chair of the Public Safety and National Security committee, which will oversee the study of the government's two anti-terror bills. Kramp will oversee many meetings this year, which are bound to focus on the balance between these new proposed laws and civil rights. Committee co-chairs Randall Garrison (NDP) and Wayne Easter (Liberal) will also be prevalent on this file.

Joe Preston

Tory backbencher Joe Preston, chair of the newly-created Subcommittee on a Code of Conduct for Members, will lead discussion on how MPs can deal with the issue of harassment on the Hill. The problem came up late last year, when two unidentified female NDP MPs accused then-Liberal MPs Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti of harassment. Andrews and Pacetti were suspended from the Liberal Party as a result of the allegations. 

Stella Ambler

Another Conservative backbencher, Stella Ambler, will have an important role to play on a controversial issue this year – missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Ambler is the chair of the Commons Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women. Harper has dismissed opposition calls for an inquiry. 

NDP

Thomas Mulcair

Mulcair will lead the NDP into a key election campaign, as the party attempts to keep its Official Opposition status. He's already laid out some of the party's key campaign planks – a universal childcare plan and a federal minimum wage of $15. But one of Mulcair's biggest challenges will be connecting with voters in the same way as his predecessor, the late Jack Layton.

Nathan Cullen

The NDP finance critic frequently speaks for the party on many files. His comments, specifically on the NDP's plans for the Canadian economy, will be closely watched as the federal budget approaches and is eventually tabled. Cullen has already been critical of the government's handling of collapsing oil prices and its decision to delay the budget as a result. 

Megan Leslie

Leslie, one of the NDP's multiple deputy leaders, will surely continue to lead the party in Question Period when Mulcair isn't available. Doubling as the environment critic, Leslie is also confident taking the government to task on that file, specifically Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq. 

LIBERAL

Justin Trudeau

The Liberal leader has already been the target of attacks from the Conservatives and NDP, who have gone after his inexperience and off-the-cuff comments. Trudeau has a big job ahead of him, trying to pull the Liberals out of third place. But the Liberals have led in public polls recently, dancing with the Conservatives for top spot. 

Judy Foote

Liberal Whip Judy Foote has played an important role in the NDP harassment allegations against Andrews and Pacetti, advising Trudeau on the matter. Although the ongoing third-party investigation into the issue will not be made public, Foote will surely take part in the closed-door discussions on the party’s handling of the matter. 

INDEPENDENT

Scott Andrews and Massimo Pacetti

The former Liberal caucus MPs were suspended by Trudeau late last year, following harassment allegations by two unidentified NDP MPs. The MPs have been relatively quiet to date, as an investigator, hired by the Liberals, continues to probe the allegations.