With the talk in Ottawa that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is poised to shuffle his cabinet on Dec. 20, here’s a look at where things stand.
The week began with the abrupt resignation of Trudeau’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, and the departure of his housing minister.
Chrystia Freeland resigned Dec. 16 ahead of her planned presentation of the Fall Economic Statement, prompting Trudeau to quickly swear in Dominic LeBlanc to fill the role of finance minister. LeBlanc also retains his public safety, democratic institutions and intergovernmental affairs portfolio.
Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced the same day he was leaving cabinet to spend more time with his family, noting that he wouldn’t seek reelection.
Trudeau currently has several ministers filling multiple roles. Anita Anand is the president of the Treasury Board and transport minister, while Ginette Petitpas Taylor is serving as veterans affairs minister and employment minister.
LeBlanc confirmed during a recent interview with Brunswick News that bringing in Carney is “not an option.”
LeBlanc told reporters on Dec. 19 that he will remain finance minister until the next election in 2025.
He also said in the Brunswick News interview that he does not expect to keep public safety duties over the long term, but will continue in his role overseeing the Canadian border.
Border security has become a pressing matter for Canada, given the incoming U.S. administration’s threat to impose 25 percent tariffs if the country does not address illegal migration and drug trafficking along the border.
LeBlanc presented his border plan to deal with the issue on Dec. 17. It includes increased surveillance and cracking down on transnational crime groups.
With LeBlanc now overseeing the finance portfolio but not receiving the title of deputy prime minister, it remains to be seen whether anyone will be elevated to that position. Former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not have a deputy, and Trudeau only picked Freeland for the position in 2019.
The cabinet shuffle could be significant after Trudeau saw several of his cabinet members resign in recent months, including former Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who plans to run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party; former Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan, who left for family reasons; and former Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, who resigned to focus on clearing his name while a company he co-owned is at the centre of allegations of inappropriate business practices.
Trudeau is also expected to replace five ministers who are not seeking re-election: Housing Minister Sean Fraser, Sport Minister Carla Qualtrough, National Revenue Minister Marie-Claude-Bibeau, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, and Southern Ontario Economic Development Minister Filomena Tassi.
Trudeau’s challenges in filling cabinet roles will come from growing caucus discontent about his leadership. In October, 23 MPs opposed Trudeau staying on, and that number has grown larger since Freeland’s resignation, with some who previously supported him now asking him to step down.
Perez added that some ministers already in cabinet could be promoted to more senior positions, such as Labour Minister Steven Mackinnon, Health Minister Mark Holland, and House Leader Karina Gould.
