Thursday 27 July 2023

Trudeau overhauls his cabinet, drops 7 ministers and shuffles most portfolios

 

Trudeau overhauls his cabinet, drops 7 ministers and shuffles most portfolios

Cabinet shakeup introduces new faces to Trudeau's front bench

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today dropped seven ministers and changed nearly three-quarters of his cabinet, overhauling his team at a time of heightened tensions overseas and scandals at home.

Trudeau unveiled a new cabinet team meant to have a renewed focus on economic priorities, such as housing, during a ceremony at Rideau Hall Wednesday morning. The shuffle promotes seven new faces and tasks more than a dozen ministers with new roles, including a new minister of defence and public safety.

Reporters asked the prime minister repeatedly whether the shakeup amounts to an admission that his nearly eight-year-old government is slumping.

"On the contrary," he responded.

Recent polling indicates the Liberals are trailing the Conservatives. Opposition parties have criticized how the government has addressed the cost of living crisis.

WATCH | Trudeau says his new cabinet will 'step up' on critical issues

Trudeau says his new cabinet will 'step up' on critical issues

Duration 2:11
When asked why Canadians should care about his new cabinet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his team will be 'delivering' for Canadians on a range of issues, from climate change to affordability.

"This is a difficult time right now for millions of people in Canada and around the world, and making sure that we have the best possible team aligned to respond to Canadians' challenges with the supports necessary, but also show that optimism, that ambition for getting us through these consequential times and building a brighter future for everyone —that's what we're focused on," Trudeau said.

Amid those global challenges, Toronto-area MP Bill Blair takes over the defence portfolio from Anita Anand, who becomes president of the Treasury Board.

Bill Blair arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Bill Blair arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Blair, a former police chief who was most recently the minister of emergency preparedness, becomes the country's point person at NATO and will be responsible for Canada's response to the war in Ukraine.

The Canadian Armed Forces is also reeling from a sexual misconduct scandal; Blair is now responsible for overseeing the military's attempt to change its culture.

New Brunswick's Dominic LeBlanc will now lead public safety, an often-challenging portfolio that includes the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP. He also takes on the democratic institutions file and will continue to serve as intergovernmental affairs minister.

Anita Anand arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Anita Anand arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

LeBlanc, who represents Beauséjour, will play a key role in determining how the government responds to allegations that China interfered in the past two federal elections, and to the damning report on the Mounties' handling of the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia. He'll also have to stickhandle negotiations with the provinces about the future of RCMP contract policing.

His predecessor, Marco Mendicino, was dropped from cabinet. His demotion ends a tenure at the cabinet table plagued by multiple controversies, including the government's poorly received gun control legislation and lingering questions on the foreign interference file.

Dominic LeBlanc smiles as he arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Dominic LeBlanc arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

More recently, Mendicino was under intense pressure due to the controversy over the transfer of serial killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison.

Along with the new names heading up security and intelligence-related portfolios, the Prime Minister's Office announced Wednesday it will follow the example of its Five Eye allies and set up a cabinet committee on national security and intelligence. The lack of one has been cited by the national security community as an oversight in light of recent controversies.

A PMO spokesperson called the new National Security Council a "forum for ministers to deliberate on and address issues of pressing concern to Canada's domestic and international security."

7 fresh faces called up

Arif Virani and his family arrive for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Arif Virani and his family arrive for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Mississauga-Streetsville MP Rechie Valdez arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Mississauga-Streetsville MP Rechie Valdez arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on July 26, 2023. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Seven new MPs received a promotion to cabinet:

  • Toronto MP Arif Virani, who represents Parkdale—High Park, becomes minister of justice and attorney general of Canada
  • Quebec MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada, who represents the riding of Hochelaga, becomes the minister of tourism and minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions.
  • Gary Anandasangaree, who represents Scarborough—Rouge Park, becomes minister of Crown-Indigenous relations
  • B.C. MP Terry Beech of Burnaby North—Seymour becomes minister of citizens' services 
  • Toronto-area MP Ya'ara Saks, who represents York Centre, becomes minister of mental health and addictions and associate minister of health
  • Ottawa-area MP Jenna Sudds, who represents, Kanata—Carleton, becomes minister of families, children and social development 
  • Mississauga—Streetsville MP Rechie Valdez becomes minister of small business

Multiple ministers changing responsibilities

Sean Fraser arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Sean Fraser arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Karina Gould takes the oath during a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Karina Gould takes the oath during a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Wednesday's shuffle also saw several current ministers change positions or add to their portfolios:

  • Pablo Rodriguez becomes transport minister
  • Pascale St-Onge becomes minister of Canadian heritage
  • Mark Holland becomes minister of health
  • Sean Fraser becomes minister of housing, infrastructure and communities
  • Lawrence MacAulay becomes minister of agriculture
  • Jean-Yves Duclos becomes minister of public services and procurement
  • Marie-Claude Bibeau becomes minister of national revenue
  • Gudie Hutchings remains minister of rural economic development but now takes on responsibility for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
  • Diane Lebouthillier becomes minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
  • Harjit Sajjan becomes president of the King's Privy Council and minister of emergency preparedness, and  keeps his role as minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
  • Carla Qualtrough becomes minister of sport and physical activity
  • Karina Gould becomes government House leader
  • Ahmed Hussen becomes minister of international development
  • Seamus O'Regan stays on as minister of labour and adds the seniors portfolio
  • Ginette Petitpas Taylor becomes minister of veterans affairs
  • Mary Ng remains minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development but drops small business from her files
  • Jonathan Wilkinson stays put but his portfolio is being renamed "energy and natural resources"
  • Marc Miller becomes minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship
  • Randy Boissonnault becomes minister of employment workforce development and official languages
  •  Kamal Khera becomes minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities.

Freeland, Joly staying put

Francois-Philippe Champagne, left to right, Chrystia Freeland and Mary Ng arrive for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.Francois-Philippe Champagne (left), Chrystia Freeland (centre) and Mary Ng arrive for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Just eight ministers kept their portfolios:

  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland 

  • Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly 

  • Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault

  • Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne

  • Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, also minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

  • Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Filomena Tassi 

  • Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, also minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

  • Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien 

Gould recently announced she is expecting her second child in the new year. Trudeau announced Wednesday that Government Whip Steve MacKinnon will serve as House leader in her absence and Ruby Sahota will fill in as whip. 

The cabinet is now made up of 19 women and 20 men, including the prime minister himself.

Headshots of four Liberal MPs who aren't seeking re-election. Liberal MPs Helena Jaczek left, Omar Alghabra, centre left, Carolyn Bennett, centre right, and Joyce Murray are not running in the next election. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters, Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press, Blair Gable/Reuters)

Four of the seven ministers who were dropped announced earlier this week that they would not be running again:

  • Former public services and procurement minister Helena Jaczek
  • Former transport minister Omar Alghabra
  • Former mental health and addictions minister Carolyn Bennett
  • Former fisheries minister Joyce Murray

Trudeau did not answer when reporters asked why Mendicino, former justice minister David Lametti and former president of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier were axed.

The prime minister said he was putting forward "the strongest possible team with fresh energy and a range of skills."

"I want to thank everyone who has served this country and this cabinet so well over the past number of years," he said.

Lametti released a statement Wednesday congratulating his former parliamentary secretary Virani and saying he was proud of what he accomplished in the role.

"Confidence in our justice system is central to the rule of law. One way of building that confidence is by reaching out to communities who feel alienated from our justice system: Indigenous people, black and racialized communities," he wrote.

"This was an important priority for me."

Headshots of a woman and two men who are Liberal MPs. Mona Fortier, left, David Lametti, centre, and Marco Mendicino were dropped from cabinet. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press, Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)

In his own media statement, Mendicino said it was an honour to serve as public safety minister and thanked members of the national security and law enforcement communities.

"Thank you for putting yourselves in harm's way to protect Canadians every single day. We do not say this nearly enough," he wrote.

"To my cabinet and caucus colleagues, it remains a privilege to work with you. The seating arrangements may move around in the House or Commons from time to time, but we are family and committed to the same cause."

Fortier tweeted that it was a privilege to serve in cabinet. 

WATCH | Poilievre says cabinet shuffle amounts to PM admitting 'he broke the economy'

Poilievre says cabinet shuffle amounts to PM admitting 'he broke the economy'

Duration 1:02
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet shuffle was an attempt to blame many of the challenges facing Canadians on outgoing ministers, and to avoid taking responsibility himself.

The cabinet reset did little to impress Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

"After eight years of Trudeau, everything costs more," he told a news conference in Timmins, Ont.

"His government is a failure. It's funny, though — the one minister responsible for those failures didn't get moved. And that minister is Justin Trudeau."

Singh still plans on backing Liberals

This new cabinet is believed to be the team Trudeau will take into the next election.

The Liberal minority government is being propped up by the NDP through a confidence-and-supply agreement that's set to last until 2025, but either party could trigger an election earlier.

As part of that deal, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has agreed to support the government on key House of Commons votes in exchange for the government championing some of his priorities, like dental care.

Following Wednesday's shuffle, Singh called the government a failure on key files like housing affordability but didn't suggest he was willing to pull his support.

"Our priority isn't triggering an election. It's forcing the government to work for people," said Singh.

"We are focused on getting results for people, not focused on forcing an election."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca

 
 
 
 
9369 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos

Methinks everybody knows I am no fan of Trudeau the Younger but to be fair he did not secure a seat in Parliament until October 14, 2008 while the economy was taking a bigtime nosedive. That was 3 months after the RCMP mentioned Stockwell Day and Peter MacKay in the malicious document to support their false arrest of me. PP the PM's latest top Critic should review the emails I sent his old boss Stockwell Day and his cohorts months before we ran in the election of the 38th Parliament and all the ones I sent him over years since then particularly the ones he got today N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
Johnathon Smith 

I’m sure the Loch Ness monster and Sasquatch also want to be briefed on your adventures. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Johnathon Smith  
Consider it done 
 
 
 
Mark Sunday
Hi Dave, it;s been a while....   
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Mark Sunday
Hey 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Mark Sunday
I am surprised you got to read it  
 
 
 
 
 
 

LIVE: Trudeau fires his cabinet. He should have fired himself

51,345 views Streamed live 9 hours ago After 8 years of this Liberal government, life costs more, work doesn’t pay, housing costs have doubled, crime & chaos are common. Justin Trudeau divides to distract from all he broke. This Prime Minister should be shuffled out. - Après 8 ans de gouvernement libéral, la vie coûte plus cher, le travail ne paie pas, le coût du logement a doublé, la criminalité et la drogue sont monnaie courante. Justin Trudeau divise pour détourner l'attention de tout ce qu'il a brisé. Ce premier ministre devrait être mis à la porte.
 
 

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Meet the new faces in Prime Minister Trudeau's cabinet

Trudeau has named 7 new ministers to cabinet, including new Attorney General Arif Virani

One of the new faces is from Quebec and one is from B.C. The other five are from Ontario; four are from GTA ridings. Their appointments match the regional representation of the seven MPs no longer in cabinet.

Trudeau gave some big responsibilities and key portfolios to cabinet novices. MP Arif Virani, for example, is the new justice minister and attorney general; he takes over the file from outgoing minister David Lametti.

Virani, who represents Parkdale-High Park in Ontario, has been an MP since the Trudeau Liberals first came to power in 2015. He has been a parliamentary secretary to a number of ministers since then, including his predecessor at justice.

Virani has served on a number of key committees, including special joint committees examining medical assistance in dying (MAID) and the government's use of the Emergencies Act during the 2022 convoy protests.

As a parliamentary secretary, Virani voted with most MPs in favour of a motion to declare China's treatment of its Uyghur population a genocide. All cabinet ministers abstained from that vote.

Asked if his promotion to cabinet had changed his position on the plight of Uyghurs, Virani told reporters he thinks the situation is "serious" but stopped short of calling it a genocide.

"The legal threshold is quite high for proving genocide. That doesn't mean that investigations shouldn't take place," he said, adding that he wants international bodies like the UN to investigate the situation.

Virani came to Canada as a refugee from Uganda in 1972, when the country's then-president Idi Amin expelled Uganda's Indian minority.

Prior to running for office, Virani worked as a human rights lawyer and served as an assistant trial attorney prosecuting genocide at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses for a photo with Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Ya’ara Saks. He is wearing a dark suit and bue tie. She is wearing a dark blazer and white blouse. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Ya’ara Saks during a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Ontario MP Ya'ara Saks is another cabinet newcomer from the GTA. The MP for York Centre replaces Carolyn Bennett as minister of mental health and addictions and associate minister of health. Bennett announced this week she won't be seeking re–election after serving an MP for 26 years.

Saks is a relatively new MP. She was first elected in an October 2020 by-election.

Following the 2021 general election, Saks was named parliamentary secretary to the minister of families, children and social development.

Prior to her election, Saks was a co-owner of a yoga studio and director of a mental health charity.

In her new ministerial role — itself a new portfolio created after the 2021 election — Saks will be tasked with addressing Canada's opioid crisis and overseeing the establishment of the 988 suicide prevention hotline, which is expected to come this fall.

A politician and his daughter walking with trees in the background. Gary Anandasangaree arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough Rouge Park, will be the new minister for Crown-Indigenous relations. He takes over the file from Marc Miller, who has been moved to the immigration, refugees and citizenship portfolio.

Like Virani, Anandasangaree was first elected in 2015 and has served as a parliamentary secretary to the justice minister. He also sat on the Indigenous and northern affairs House committee.

Anandasangaree led the government's charge to develop a national anti-racism strategy when he was parliamentary secretary to the minister of heritage and multiculturalism.

The Ontario MP arrived in Canada as a refugee from Sri Lanka in 1983. Prior to his election, he worked as a human rights lawyer and with a number of community organizations, including as a member of the Toronto Police Chief's Advisory Council.

Speaking with reporters following the swearing-in ceremony, Anandasangaree said his experience as a refugee offers him a unique perspective on the government's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

"What I bring here is that lived experience of what survival means, what going through oppression and colonialism means," he said.

MP Jenna Sudds rises in the House of Commons. She's wearing a red blazer and white blouse. Liberal MP Jenna Sudds rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Former Ottawa city councillor Jenna Sudds will be the new minister of families, children and social development. She replaces Karina Gould, who was shuffled into the role of government House leader.

Sudds won her Kanata-Carleton seat in the last general election. Before joining cabinet, Sudds was parliamentary secretary to Minister of Women and Gender Equality Marci Ien.

Sudds was elected as a city councillor in 2018 and made a name for herself fighting the redevelopment of the old Kanata Lakes Golf and Country Club — an open space community members have used for recreational purposes for decades.

Prior to entering elected politics, Sudds worked as an economist for the federal government and in the private sector. She is also a founding member of the Kanata North Business Association.

Liberal MP Terry Beech wears a blue suit and dark red tie as he rises in the House of Commons. Liberal MP Terry Beech rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill. The Burnaby North-Seymour MP was named minister of citizens' services on Wednesday. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Terry Beech is the lone new minister from B.C. He takes on the newly created role of minister of citizens' services.

The MP for Burnaby North-Seymour was first elected when the Liberals took power in 2015. Since then he has held a number of parliamentary secretary roles, most recently to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Beech has been involved in politics for a long time — he was elected as a city councillor in Nanaimo, B.C. when he was just 18. He also established a non-profit to help students access post-secondary scholarships.

The government says Beech will be responsible for Service Canada and the new portfolio will cover any services the federal government provides directly to Canadians, such as passport applications and employment insurance. The B.C. government has a similar cabinet role.

A woman looking to the side in front of two flags. Quebec MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada is the new minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. Martinez Ferrada represents the riding of Hochelaga. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)

Quebec MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada has been named minister of tourism and minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions.

Ferrada, who represents the riding of Hochelaga, was first elected in the 2019 election and has been a parliamentary secretary since then, most recently for the minister of housing.

Ferrada and her family came to Canada in the 1980s after fleeing Chile, then controlled by dictator Augusto Pinochet.

She served as a city councillor in Montreal and was chief of staff to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly when Joly was still the minister of heritage.

Mississauga-Streetsville MP Rechie Valdez arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Mississauga-Streetsville MP Rechie Valdez arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Ontario MP Rechie Valdez is the new minister of small business, taking over a portfolio previously under Minister of International Trade and Export Promotion Mary Ng.

The MP for Mississauga-Streetsville was first elected in 2021 and is the only new minister who hasn't held a parliamentary secretary position.

Valdez told reporters Wednesday that she has been advocating to make small business its own portfolio since she was elected.

"[I'm] super excited to be here and support small businesses," she said.

The Prime Minister's Office says Valdez is the first Filipino-Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons and the first to sit in cabinet.

Prior to her election, Valdez worked as a corporate banker and television host. She also ran a bakery in Mississauga specializing in Filipino desserts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Darren Major

CBC Journalist

Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's Parliamentary Bureau. He can be reached via email at darren.major@cbc.ca.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
  
504 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
I wonder if the lawyer Arif Virani and his associates kept the email I sent them on or about the Ides of March 2019 
 
 
 
David Amos 
Methinks everybody knows I am no fan of Trudeau the Younger but to be fair he did not secure a seat in Parliament until October 14, 2008 while the economy was taking a bigtime nosedive. That was 3 months after the RCMP mentioned Stockwell Day and Peter MacKay in the malicious document to support their false arrest of me. PP the PM's latest top Critic should review the emails I sent his old boss Stockwell Day and his cohorts months before we ran in the election of the 38th Parliament and all the ones I sent him over years since then particularly the ones he got today N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
Dan Hensky  
I wonder if we can expect yet another round of ethics violations
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dan Hensky  
Ethics watchdog probing SNC-Lavalin affair taking 'prolonged' medical leave

Mario Dion 'will resume his duties as soon as he is able,' says his office

Catharine Tunney · CBC News · Posted: Mar 12, 2019 3:31 PM ET

1956 Comments

David Amos

@Alex Norris Methinks folk should ask me why this news does not

surprise me Nesy Pas?

 
Allan Christie
Reply to Dan Hensky  
I am sure PP is making some up right now
 
 
Wendy Rohmann 
Reply to Allan Christie
Petite Potate has made numerous ethics violations, failed the exam numerous times…
 
 
 
 
 
Roddy Thad  
bunch of nobodies
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Roddy Thad 
Except his old guard Dominic LeBlanc is still very much in charge 
 
 
 
 
Ja Doucette 
Trudeau's A team was a complete disaster, and somehow he is selling his B team as "renewed energy". What a laugh. You cannot make this stuff up if you tried.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ja Doucette 
Welcome to the Circus 
 
 
Allan Christie  
Reply to Ja Doucette 
What are you talking about, you make up a great deal of stuff. Then try and push it as factual, when "IN FACT" it is merely partisanship. 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Allan Christie  
Methinks you are practicing partisanship as well N'esy Pas? 

 
 
 
Peter Stride  
Canadians work hard and the liberals take everything they can from them and enrich themselves. 
 
 
Lily O'Loughlin 
Reply to Peter Stride 
How do you manage to come up with such nonsense? 
 
 
Peter Stride 
Reply to Lily O'Loughlin   
Hundreds of millions in bonuses at BOC...CMHC... CBC.... 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Peter Stride 
Good point 
 
 
Allan Christie  
Reply to Peter Stride
And cons make up little stories and spread them like the manure it really is.  



 
David Rivers 
Nice to finally have a transport minister with some extensive experience.

"Canada’s new Transport Minister was caught driving drunk in 2010, according to police documents reviewed by the Halifax Chronicle Herald."

 
David Amos

Reply to David Rivers 
A reporter emailed me his article about that hours ago but he put behind a paywall. At least I can read about in here for free. What say you tell us more?  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to David Rivers
Drunk driver appointed Canadian Minister of Transport by Justin Trudeau

Nothing says “responsible decision-making” like appointing a drunk driver as the Transport Minister.

TCS Wire

July 26, 2023

Canada’s new Transport Minister was caught driving drunk in 2010, according to police documents reviewed by the Halifax Chronicle Herald. 

 
David Amos

Reply to David Amos
Pablo Rodriguez had booze on his breath after crash: police

Liberal MP facing charge of refusing breathalyzer test

By Maclean's June 8, 2010

According to police documents examined by the Halifax Chronicle Herald, Liberal MP Pablo Robdriguez had bloodshot eyes and alcohol on his breath after his BMW hit a parked car last April 16. A police report into the incident notes Rodriguez initially denied having had anything to drink prior to the accident and then admitted he’d had “two small glasses of wine” before leaving Ottawa that night for Montreal. When the officer tried to administer a breathalyzer test, “Rodriguez breathed very weakly and cut his breath repeatedly, all the while holding the plastic tip at the edge of his lips.” After several unsuccessful attempts to administer the test, the police officer warned Rodriguez he could be charged with refusing. “Rodriguez told me several times that we were going to damage his career that he had taken 30 years to build,” the officer reported. “He also mentioned that he hoped that it wasn’t because he was in the Liberal party that I was charging him. I told the monsieur that I was only doing my job.”The Montreal MP told reporters last month he would plead not guilty to a charge of refusing the breathalyzer test on June 15.

Chronicle Herald

 
Allan Christie 
Reply to David Amos
LOL its kind of like you guys have forgotten that one Con premier killed someone while driving impaired. Got an article about that handy? 


David Amos
Reply to Allan Christie 
I remember a Liberal Attorney General doing in a dude on a bicycle but I don't know who you are talking about So why not fill us in?  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Allan Christie 
BTW Too bad So sad that you could not read all I had posted  





Al-Karim Amarsi 
The only issue I have is with the over representation from Ontario and Quebec....
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Al-Karim Amarsi
How so? New Brunswick has 6 MPs who wear Ret Coats but 2 are Cabinet Ministers and the other Maritime provinces have one apiece  
 
 
Al-Karim Amarsi  
Reply to David Amos
41 per cent (16) of the cabinet ministers are from Ontario, while 28 per cent (11) from Quebec...... 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Al-Karim Amarsi
So???
 
 
DAVID STEIN 
Reply to Al-Karim Amarsi 
Well, maybe, you should look at a population map. 
 
 
DAVID STEIN 
Reply to Al-Karim Amarsi   
This isn't the ridiculous USA, where Rhode Island and California both have 2 senators.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to DAVID STEIN
 That is not ridiculous It gives each State an equal kick at the can. On the other hand much to Chretien's chagrin the Brits made a snobby media mogul Lord of a subway stop so he renounced his Canadian citizenship. The Yankees sent him to jail yet the tough on crime Mr Harper allowed a non citizen with a criminal record to settle in our Nativeland. What happened next took the cake. If you know my story then it should be a small wonder why I ran for a seat in Parliament one last time.

Trump grants full pardon to former media baron Conrad Black

Black was convicted in 2007 of fraud and obstruction of justice

CBC News · Posted: May 15, 2019 10:14 PM ADT

 
David Amos 
Reply to DAVID STEIN
That is not ridiculous It gives each State an equal kick at the can.
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to DAVID STEIN 
This is ridiculous

Trump grants full pardon to former media baron Conrad Black

Black was convicted in 2007 of fraud and obstruction of justice

CBC News · Posted: May 15, 2019 10:14 PM ADT



 
Terry Spence  

I cannot believe Mélanie Joly kept her job as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Something is going on
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Terry Spence 
She is still good lookin  
 
 
DAVID STEIN
Reply to David Amos
Lebouthier? Oh! I agree.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to DAVID STEIN
Surely you jest    



Dean Hobermann 
The GTA is the source of this country's misery. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dean Hobermann 
The Banksters on Bay Street definitely are  
 

DAVID STEIN  
Reply to Dean Hobermann 
Only if you live here.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dean Hobermann
I shudder at the thought that their old guard dog is now our Minister of National Defence  
 

David Amos
Reply to DAVID STEIN 
Trust that I never will  
 
 
 
 
DAVID STEIN 
Great to see that nasty sow out of National Revenue. She's now in charge of national FISH! 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to DAVID STEIN
I loved that one too  


David Amos
Reply to David Amos
She wrote me a very wicked letter on a very special day that I treasure to this very day 
 
 
 
 

Anand says she doesn't see move from defence to Treasury Board as a demotion

Oakville MP says her new role puts her on PM's 'core economic team'

"There is not one policy of our government that doesn't go through Treasury Board. I will be seeing everything from a policy perspective," she told CBC's Power & Politics.

"And yes, I am going to have to speak with my colleagues about the need for prudent spending and I'm looking forward to those conversations as well."

Anand told host David Cochrane that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked her to be a member "of his core economic team." During the interview, she repeatedly stressed that she would be working alongside Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

"We need to continue to have our eye on how we can help Canadians during this economic time. And as the president of the Treasury Board, working closely with the minister of finance, that's exactly what we will do," she said.

When asked about Anand's move, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called it another example of "disrespect for women in Justin Trudeau's cabinet."

WATCH | Anand sworn in as Treasury Board president

Anand sworn in as Treasury Board president

Duration 2:08
Anita Anand, who had been minister of defence, is sworn in as Treasury Board president at Rideau Hall on July 26, 2023.

For more than a year, Anand has led Canada's response to the Ukraine war and, alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, has been one of Canada's representatives on the world stage.

When she was appointed defence minister back in 2021, she was tasked with cleaning up the Canadian Armed Forces' culture following a sexual misconduct scandal. Those duties now fall to her replacement in the portfolio, Bill Blair.

Treasury Board an often behind-the-scenes job

Her new role will curb her international travel. As president of the Treasury Board, Anand's eyes will be trained on domestic files and Canada's fiscal operations.

Considered a central government agency, Treasury Board manages and approves all government spending, looks for efficiencies and handles labour relations with the public service.

President of the Treasury Board Anita Anand, left to right, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francoise-Philippe Champagne, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault leave a press conference following a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 202. (Left to right) President of the Treasury Board Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francoise-Philippe Champagne, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault leave a press conference following a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on July 26, 2023. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

It's often a behind-the-scenes gig, but Anand —  who is widely believed to have party leadership ambitions, alongside Freeland, Joly and Innovation, Science and Industry Francoise-Philippe Champagne — said people can expect to see her out and about. 

"In fact, the prime minister of our country has asked me specifically to go across the country, engage with chambers of commerce, engage with Canadians, and deliver our message," she said.

WATCH | Will Trudeau's big cabinet shuffle reset his government?

Will Trudeau’s big cabinet shuffle reset his government?

Duration 9:54
At Issue | Justin Trudeau has overhauled his cabinet in one of his most significant shuffles since becoming prime minister. What was Trudeau trying to accomplish with the moves, and will it work?

Anand described her role as one of ensuring the government is spending public funds wisely while delivering on key platform promises like dental and child care.

"I've just come out of my first briefing and I can tell you that that's exactly what I'm focused on," she said. 

Wednesday's shuffle was almost a complete overhaul of Trudeau's front bench. Only about a quarter of his ministers, including Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Joly, kept their portfolios.

Seven ministers were dropped and seven cabinet rookies were brought into the fold.

Watch David Cochrane's full interview with Anand on Power & Politics Thursday night at 5 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca

 
 
 

'It's a surprise': David Lametti says he wasn't expecting to be dropped from cabinet

Lametti says he plans to reoffer in the Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun

"It's a surprise," Lametti told CBC News in a short text message.

Sources tell CBC News he delivered the same message to other Liberal MPs — that he was surprised by his ouster on Wednesday because he felt he had delivered on his files and there were no problems within his ministry.

Lametti had held the key portfolio for the Trudeau government since 2019. 

In another statement, issued Wednesday, Lametti said he's proud of what his ministry accomplished, citing a ban on so-called conversion therapy, the elimination of some mandatory minimum penalties and a new process for implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

More recently, critics accused his department of being too slow to move on proposed changes to bail reform.

The mayor of Edmonton, former Liberal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi, wrote a letter imploring Lametti to take "immediate action" after a father of seven was stabbed to death in a random attack.

Premiers, police chiefs and the Conservative opposition also have called for more to be done to keep repeat violent offenders off the street.

From 2017 to 2019, Lametti served as parliamentary secretary to both the minister of international trade and the minister of innovation, science and economic development. 

He was replaced by rookie minister Arif Virani on Thursday. Lametti remains in the Liberal caucus as a backbencher.

Lametti also posted on his Instagram page early Thursday morning that he is planning to reoffer in the next election.

He represents a riding in the southwest of Montreal.

"Now that the dust has settled and the cabinet shuffle has taken place, there is much speculation about my future as MP for Lasalle-Émard-Verdun," he wrote.

"I want to reassure my constituents that I intend to remain your MP and continue to serve you in the House of Commons."

He went on to say that he meets the eligibility requirements and intends to run in the next election, "whenever it may be."

Lametti was first elected in 2015. Prior to politics, he taught law at McGill University. He is an expert in intellectual property and property law.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate McKenna is a senior reporter with CBC News. She is based in the parliamentary bureau. kate.mckenna@cbc.ca.

With files from David Cochrane

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|
 
 
 
209 Comments
 
 
 
David Amos
Geez Dave why is it that I was not surprised? 
 
 

Mary Anne Locke
Don't run again , you will not get your job back


Chris Halford
Reply to Mary Anne Locke
Not your call, it's for his constituents to decide.


David Amos.
Reply to Chris Halford
I certainly hope that he does 
 



 
Walter Olsen
Bigger surprise was his appointment in the first place.

David Amos

Reply to Walter Olsen
Not really




Daniel Nowak
It is better for JT to have a bunch of easily intimidated rookies as cabinet ministers. Makes it much easier to micromanage.


David Amos
Content Deactivated

Reply to Daniel Nowak
C'est Vrai

 
David Amos.
Reply to Daniel Nowak
Thats true
 
 
Blair Longstaff
Reply to Daniel Nowak
Loud and clear in Bill Morneau's latest book
 
 
 
 
 
Mary Anne Locke
You had two cars stolen belonging to the tax payers stolen , what do you think Lammy


David Amos
Reply to Mary Anne Locke
Where was his chauffeur and RCMP bodyguards?




Landers Haughten

Trudeau one month ago...."Trudeau says he has ‘nothing to announce’ regarding a cabinet shuffle"

 
David Amos
Reply to Landers Haughten
He didn't then


Walter Olsen.
Reply to David Amos
Last week he said those in Cabinet had his full support.. So what happened David?

 
David Amos
Reply to Walter Olsen
Perhaps it was my emails



 
Ralph Kramden
Sheesh Dave,you don't know what your purpose was when you were parachuted in to replace JWR to give trudeau the answers he wanted?

How you lasted this long is the surprise.

Apparently all legalists aren't that bright

 
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Kramden
Oh So True Why else would I run again in 2019?




Gord Dennis
Sunny ways Dave... sunny ways.

 
David Amos
Reply to Gord Dennis
However there are not many Sunny Days in our Summer of Discontent





Gord Dennis
Surprise? Geez Dave, not too quick on the uptake? Go back to teaching bud, you'll fit right in... they offer secure parking.


David Amos
Reply to Gord Dennis
Methinks he should go back to law school like I suggested years ago when he replaced Jody N'esy Pas?





Marian Minar

Poor chap, he tried so hard to help teflonjustin at every turn and now this? Yes, that is a surprise.

 
David Amos
Reply to Marian Minar
I have no pity for that snobby lawyer

 
Marian Minar
Reply to David Amos
Neither do I, I am glad he is gone.

 
David Amos
Reply to Marian Minar
He is not gone YET

 
David Amos
Reply to Marian Minar
BTW His ethical computer answered me again just before he lost his cabinet post 
 
 
 

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