Global Courant
Defense Secretary Anita Anand will move to an economics portfolio during Wednesday’s shuffle, CBC News has learned – one of several major shakeups to come to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
Sources with knowledge of the shuffle (who are not authorized to speak about it publicly) said seven ministers will leave the cabinet, including Justice Minister David Lametti, Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino and Treasury Board Chairman Mona Fortier.
Defense Secretary Anita Anand looks on after a keynote address at the CANSEC trade show, heralded as North America’s largest multi-service defense event, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Sources say Anand will move to a new portfolio on Wednesday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Prior to the shuffle, four other ministers — three Toronto-area ministers and one BC minister — announced they would not run in the next federal election, freeing seats at the table.
Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek said on Tuesday morning that she will not run in the next election. The Ontario MP for Markham-Stouffville posted on social media that it was “a tremendous honor and privilege to represent our community at both the provincial and federal levels.”
Transportation Secretary Omar Alghabra announced that after 11 years in federal politics he will no longer be running for office and will relinquish his cabinet duties.
“The prime minister deserves a cabinet that is committed to participating in the next federal campaign,” he said. “This was not an easy decision.”
Mental Health and Addictions Secretary Carolyn Bennett told reporters Monday she is not seeking re-election in her Toronto-St. Paul drives.
Liberal MPs Mona Fortier (left), David Lametti (centre) and Marco Mendicino. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press, Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)
Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray, who represents Vancouver Quadra, made a similar announcement on Tuesday — despite telling reporters on June 21 that she planned to flee again.
“After much thought and consideration, I have decided not to run in the next election after my current term,” she said in a media statement on Tuesday.
“My work in politics and serving my community, both federally and provincially, as an elected official has been the honor of a lifetime.”
Senior government sources say a cohort of rookies will be sworn in as new cabinet ministers at a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Wednesday.
Sources said Trudeau’s aim is to return focus to the government’s economic priorities – including housing – and strengthen the cabinet ahead of the next election campaign.
The government also wants to put key communicators on important files, the sources said.
Mendicino under fire
Mendicino’s departure follows months of controversy over his performance. He is under great pressure due to the transfer of serial killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison. The minister has also come under fire for his management of the government’s gun control legislation and the foreign interference file.
Four members of the federal cabinet have said they will not run in the upcoming election (left to right): Helena Jaczek, Omar Alghabra, Carolyn Bennett and Joyce Murray. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters, Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press, Blair Gable/Reuters)
Asked last week in Kingston, Ontario, if he had confidence in Mendicino, Trudeau didn’t immediately answer.
“I have a great team in Ottawa and a great group of MPs across the country who work every day to serve their country, and everyone in my cabinet, by definition, has my confidence,” he said.
Sources have said Treasury Secretary Chrystia Freeland will keep her position.
According to Radio-Canada, the francophone branch of CBC, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault will also remain in place.
