As of yesterday, almost 80% of Canada’s ministers are new or in a new role… all with the hopes of making a dent in the country’s most pressing issues ahead of the next election.
What happened: Following what former Liberal minister Catherine Mckenna called a “bonkers Cabinet shuffle speculation," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau almost completely overhauled his front bench with a renewed focus on housing, defence, and public safety.
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Seven ministers got dropped, including Former Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Former Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino (both on the job since 2021).
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Over a dozen ministers were given new roles, like Sean Fraser, who will take on housing and has been replaced by Marc Miller as the Minister of Immigration.
- Eight ministers are staying put, including Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Why it matters: With two years to go until the next fixed date election, the Liberals want fresh eyes on the matters that impact the economy most. Per POLITICO, they’re “sensing a whupping in the next campaign on their economic record unless they make some changes.”
Yes, but: The minister most responsible for the economy, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, isn’t going anywhere, which suggests a major shakeup on the file is unlikely.—SB