David Chernushenko, the senior deputy to the leader of the Green Party, has been named to the National Roundtable on Environment and the Economy, a blue-chip panel that advises the federal government on environmental policy.

Timothy R. Haig and Dr. Mark Jaccard, have also been named to the panel, Environment Minister Rona Ambrose announced on Friday afternoon.

Haig has spent more than 20 years in the field of strategic business development and financing with an emphasis on environmental technologies and engineering, while Jaccard is a resource and environmental management professor at Simon Fraser University.

"With their knowledge and experience, Mr. Chernushenko, Mr. Haig and Dr. Jaccard, will be able to examine the environmental and economic implications of issues brought to the NRTEE and offer judicious advice on how to reconcile these often competing interests with a view to moving society towards a cleaner and healthier Canada," Ambrose said in a written statement.

The move is seen as an attempt by the Tories to deflect some criticism over their handling of the environment file.

By reaching across party lines, the Conservatives can claim that they are seeking out all viewpoints and policy advice to cut down on air pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For the Greens, it is among the visible symbols that they have arrived as national political force. The most recent polling for CTV News shows that the Greens have nearly doubled their voter support since the January election, to more than 9 per cent from 5 per cent on Jan. 23.

"It's a smart move," said Aaron Freeman, an activist and lawyer with Environmental Defence. "Chernushenko is very well-qualified."

The National Roundtable on Environment and Economy was established in 1988 by then-prime minister Brian Mulroney.

It is chaired by Glen Murray, the former mayor of Winnipeg, and includes representatives from corporate Canada, such as Suncor and J.D. Irving, along with academics, and other environmental activists.

Last summer, Chernushenko placed second to Elizabeth May in the race to become leader of the Green Party.