Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his Cabinet on Friday, another important step in one of the most dramatic and fraught weeks in recent Canadian politics.
The shuffle follows the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who was replaced the same day by Dominic LeBlanc and left the prime minister’s own future on the line.
LeBlanc now holds the dual roles of Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, while David McGuinty took over the Public Safety portfolio in the Friday shuffle. Anita Anand, who has been President of the Treasury Board since 2023 and took over the Transport portfolio in September, is now Minister of Transport and Internal Trade.
This shuffle is more about necessity than a strategic reset. For the moment, Trudeau seeks to relieve stress on ministers who are carrying multiple portfolios and replace ministers who have signaled they won’t run in the next election.
Over the holiday period, Trudeau will have time to reflect on his own future and, if he decides to step aside, plan for a leadership transition.
Meanwhile, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh released a statement on Friday saying he will no longer vote to keep the Liberals in power, joining the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois in having the numbers to bring the government down. The first opportunity for a confidence vote is likely to be on or around February 28th. Other legislative options remain, including proroguing Parliament, but this depends on what Trudeau decides about his own future.
SAME FACES – NEW PLACES
Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs
Dominic LeBlanc is the MP for Beauséjour, New Brunswick and a member of cabinet since 2015. Over his extensive political career, he has been Minister of Public Safety, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. With his political lineage (his father was Governor General) and close ties to the Trudeau family, LeBlanc brings both trust and experience to his key roles.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Stabilize Canada’s economy amidst the fallout of Freeland’s exit and the looming shadow of a Trump presidency, addressing U.S. tariff threats, inflation and affordability while projecting steadiness amid global uncertainty.
- Help rebuild a fractured cabinet, widespread discontent in caucus, and questions about the government’s direction. Using his trusted position with the Prime Minister, LeBlanc must help unify the team, and restore confidence in the government.
- Deliver a critical budget that resets the Liberal narrative. LeBlanc will have to balance fiscal discipline with investments in housing, affordability, and economic growth; all the while positioning the government ahead of a looming election.
Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
Anita Anand, MP for Oakville, is a trusted member of Prime Minister Trudeau’s inner circle of ministers. She is recognized for her effective leadership during COVID-19 as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, overseeing Canada’s vaccine rollout, and as Minister of National Defence, where she led reforms to address systemic issues within the Canadian Armed Forces. Known for her decisive and detail-oriented approach, Anand can now focus fully on the critical file of Transport, while also taking on Internal Trade at a time of heightened economic and infrastructure challenges.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Tackle Canada’s supply chain challenges by ensuring critical goods move efficiently through ports, rail, and trucking systems. Anand must act swiftly to address vulnerabilities exposed by recent global instability and climate-related events.
- Strengthen transportation infrastructure resilience in response to a Senate report highlighting vulnerabilities to extreme weather events. From flooding to wildfires, Anand must focus on federal coordination to safeguard Canada’s transportation networks from increasing environmental threats.
- Announce the winning bidder for the government’s ambitious and even nation-building high speed rail project.
- Navigate contentious internal trade barriers among provinces, particularly in energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. Anand must demonstrate leadership by fostering provincial collaboration and advancing reforms that reduce barriers while respecting jurisdictional boundaries.
Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Northern Affairs, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough Rouge-Park, joined cabinet in 2022. His background and advocacy for truth and reconciliation spearheaded him into the role of Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. He previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism (Multiculturalism). The inclusion of these portfolios aligns naturally, as Northern Affairs is already part of the same ministry, and the economic development agency complements the Minister’s existing mandate.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Emphasizing the focus on advancing key priorities for Northern Indigenous communities. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly’s recent announcement of Canada’s “Arctic Foreign Policy” highlights the critical role the Northern Affairs file will play.
Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
Steven MacKinnon, Member of Parliament for Gatineau, Quebec, is a seasoned figure within the Liberal Party. He has been Government House Leader and, more recently, Minister of Labour and Seniors, where he was instrumental in resolving labour disputes and advancing policies for Canada’s aging population. MacKinnon is recognized for his pragmatic approach and ability to build consensus across party lines. MacKinnon adds the Employment and Workforce Development roles previously held by Randy Boissonnault before his resignation from cabinet.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Resolve labour disputes in critical industries, where high-profile disruptions in transportation and manufacturing have threatened Canada’s economic stability. MacKinnon must balance the interests of unions and employers while maintaining momentum in key sectors.
- Address workforce shortages by advancing skills training, enhancing immigration programs, and promoting upskilling initiatives. Immediate action is required to meet labour market demands and sustain economic growth.
- Lead the government’s push to modernize Employment Insurance ahead of the federal budget through reforms that respond to changing workforce needs.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor, President of the Treasury Board
Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton–Riverview–Dieppe, is a trusted voice in the Liberal caucus. Known for her disciplined and collaborative approach, she has held multiple senior roles, including Minister of Health, where she oversaw the legalization of cannabis, and Minister of Official Languages, where she introduced reforms to the Official Languages Act. Petitpas Taylor now takes on the Treasury Board at a time of fiscal restraint and public service challenges. She succeeds Anita Anand, bringing prior experience as a Treasury Board member and familiarity with its operations.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Manage implementation of the government’s fiscal strategy, balancing affordability commitments with spending restraint. Departmental compliance and accountability will be crucial amid growing public scrutiny of government finances.
- Lead efforts to modernize the public service, focusing on recruitment, retention, and workplace transformation to address long-standing staffing challenges and improve service delivery.
- Strengthen accountability in government operations by advancing transparency initiatives and ensuring rigorous oversight of expenditures as the next federal budget approaches.
WHO’S NEW
Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety
Rachel Bendayan is the Member of Parliament for Outremont, a seat she reclaimed for the Liberals in a 2019 by-election. A lawyer with extensive experience in international arbitration, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Calm the frustrations of English Quebecers disappointed with the government’s perceived lack of support, drawing on her experience as a bilingual Montrealer.
- Implement the modernization of the Official Languages Act, ensuring federal institutions comply with strengthened protections for linguistic minorities while addressing challenges in bilingual service delivery.
- Collaborate with provincial and territorial governments to expand French language education and resources to promote linguistic duality across Canada.
- Address rising public safety concerns as the MP for the riding where the École Polytechnique massacre took place.
- Support the Minister of Public Safety on issues such as countering foreign interference, combating cyber threats, and improving community safety measures, recognizing too the needs of the sizable Jewish community in her riding.
- Engage with stakeholders to strengthen community safety programs and ensure alignment with broader federal priorities in public safety and emergency preparedness.
Élisabeth Brière, Minister of National Revenue
Élisabeth Brière is the Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke, first elected in 2019. A lawyer with a focus on community and social development, she has been a strong advocate for the interests of Quebec and her constituents. Brière has previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, where she worked to advance economic opportunities in Francophone communities. Brière replaces Marie-Claude Bibeau in her portfolio and as a Minister from the Sherbrooke area of Quebec.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Ensure the Canada Revenue Agency delivers on its commitments to improve service standards, particularly in tax filing and benefits delivery.
- Oversee efforts to enhance tax fairness by closing loopholes, addressing tax evasion, and ensuring compliance among high-income earners and corporations.
- Respond to growing calls for transparency and accountability in the CRA’s operations.
Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
Terry Duguid is the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, first elected in 2015. An advocate for sustainable development and regional growth, he has served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Duguid fills a Manitoba Cabinet position vacated by Dan Vandal, ensuring continued Prairie representation at the Cabinet table.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Promote inclusive participation in sports by advancing federal investments in community sports programs and addressing systemic issues, including safety and equity within Canada’s athletic organizations.
- Leverage Prairies Economic Development Canada to support key regional industries, such as agriculture, energy, and manufacturing, while driving innovation and attracting investment.
- Enhance Canada’s sports infrastructure by supporting modernization projects and increasing access to facilities, particularly in underserved communities, ahead of major national and international sporting events.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Nate Erskine-Smith is the MP for Beaches-East York in Toronto. A once self-styled maverick of the Liberal caucus, he has become less outspoken and directly critical of the PM recently, including hosting Trudeau for a long interview on his “Uncommons” podcast earlier this fall. Erskine-Smith is a lawyer and ran unsuccessfully for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership last year.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Play a leading role in communicating the Liberals’ plans on housing, a key weakness of the government in recent years. In fact, he has to get up to speed fast on the biggest political and policy challenge in Canada right now.
- Continue to implement Canada’s Housing Plan, announced in Budget 2024, to speed up home construction and lower costs.
- This includes doling out billions in infrastructure funding for cities through the Housing Accelerator Fund and the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund as well as other programs for affordable and rental stock.
- This also includes plans to speed up construction with more modular homes, so-called “war-time blueprints” and work on new national building codes.
- Support Budget 2024 policy development on housing, which could include tough negotiations with stubborn institutions like CMHC, OSFI and the Bank of Canada.
Darren Fisher, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Darren Fisher has been the MP for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour in Nova Scotia since 2015. He was serving as the vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, and is a member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. Darren is also an Executive Member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association. He was previously a small business owner, community volunteer, and member of Halifax Regional Council, including Deputy Mayor.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Fisher fills the vacancy for a Nova Scotia minister left open by Sean Fraser’s exit from cabinet.
David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety
David McGuinty, brother of former Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty, has been the MP for Ottawa South since 2004. McGuinty has held a relatively low profile since the Liberals formed government in 2015. Trudeau made him the first chair of the newly formed National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) in 2017.
What’s on Their Plate:
- McGuinty’s role as NSICOP Chair seldom made headlines until foreign interference in elections became a major security and political issue. The commission’s report on this will be released on December 31, making McGuinty a natural choice for the role of Public Safety.
- Amid continuing attacks on border security from Donald Trump, McGuinty will continue the work of Leblanc and Immigration Minister Marc Miller on this file – aiming to oversee the smooth rollout of major funding for the border in the Fall Economic Statement.
Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern OntarioRuby Sahota is the Member of Parliament for Brampton North outside Toronto and has been since 2015. She was serving as the Chief Government Whip and is a member of the Board of Internal Economy and Procedure and House Affairs Committee, which she chaired.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Advance measures to strengthen democratic institutions, including efforts to protect against foreign interference and modernize electoral systems.
- Leverage the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to address regional economic challenges, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and technology, while supporting small businesses and attracting investment.
- Navigate public scrutiny regarding government transparency and accountability by championing reforms and policies that boost trust in democratic processes.
Joanne Thompson, Minister of Seniors
Joanne Thompson is the Member of Parliament for St. John’s East and an advocate for social equity and community well-being. She has a background in healthcare and experience working with seniors as the former executive director of The Gathering Place, a community service centre. Thompson inherits this role from Steven MacKinnon and fills a Newfoundland and Labrador seat at the Cabinet table vacated by Seamus O’Regan last summer.
What’s on Their Plate:
- Collaborating with provincial and territorial counterparts to address systemic issues in elder care, including staffing shortages and quality of care.
- Developing and promoting community-based programs that foster social connections and provide mental health support to combat loneliness among seniors, a concern heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ensuring measures under the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security programs align with the government’s affordability agenda and address financial pressures faced by seniors.
STEADY HANDS — UNCHANGED PLANS
- Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services
- Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
- Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
- Karina Gould, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
- Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
- Mark Holland, Minister of Health
- Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development
- Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
- Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
- Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
- Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
- Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
- Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
- Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage
- Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
- Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business
- Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
- Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
