Trudeau addresses vacancies and discontent following Freeland's departure
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reshuffling his cabinet this morning in a bid to stabilize his Liberal government following the surprise resignation of Chrystia Freeland and rising discontent within his party.
The changes, announced at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, come at a critical time as Trudeau faces calls to step down and prepares for the next federal election.
The shuffle sees key promotions and new appointments. Ontario MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has been tapped as the new housing minister, replacing Sean Fraser, who announced earlier this week that he will not run in the next election.
Public safety responsibilities will move to David McGuinty, Ontario MP and chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. McGuinty will take over from Dominic LeBlanc, who was recently assigned the finance and intergovernmental affairs portfolios following Freeland’s resignation.
Quebec MP Rachel Bendayan, Nova Scotia MP Darren Fisher, and Manitoba MP Terry Duguid are also expected to join the cabinet, filling other vacant positions.
Several ministers, including Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, Carla Qualtrough, Filomena Tassi, and Dan Vandal, are leaving cabinet as they have announced they will not seek re-election. Their exits leave openings in national revenue, sport, northern affairs, and regional economic development portfolios.
Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, who temporarily assumed the employment, workforce development, and official languages portfolio, is likely to see her role adjusted. Treasury Board President Anita Anand, currently also acting as transport minister, is expected to relinquish one of her portfolios.
Trudeau faces challenges in maintaining gender parity and regional representation, especially with fewer backbench MPs available in Western and Atlantic Canada. Upholding these tenets has been a hallmark of his previous cabinet appointments.
Read more: Freeland resignation plunges Trudeau government into crisis
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc has reaffirmed Trudeau’s intention to remain as prime minister through the next election, quelling speculation about his potential departure. LeBlanc also dismissed chatter around former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney imminently entering federal politics.
A cabinet meeting has been scheduled for later today, marking Trudeau’s first public appearance since calls for his resignation intensified. It is unclear whether he will take questions from the media following the shuffle.
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