One might argue that Liberal MP Keith Martin has a cat's proverbial nine lives when it comes to being named party critic. Since he was elected to parliament 15 years ago, the leaders of the parties he has belonged to (and there are many) have thought it wise to have him in their shadow cabinets. To date, the physician-turned-politician has held 11 positions as critic for the now defunct Reform Party, Canadian Alliance, Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The portfolios he has held include health, human rights, foreign affairs, international development, financial institutions and now CIDA.