Tuesday, December 23, 2025
ADVT 
National

The Latest: Justin Trudeau shuffles his cabinet as his future remains in question

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Dec, 2024 10:46 AM
  • The Latest: Justin Trudeau shuffles his cabinet as his future remains in question

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is shuffling his cabinet today, filling vacancies left by Liberals who have left their posts or don't plan to run in the next federal election. 

The shuffle comes after Chrystia Freeland's resignation as finance minister and deputy prime minister sent shock waves in Canadian politics and intensified calls for the prime minister to step down.

Here's the latest. All times in Eastern.

11:45 a.m.

A ceremony to swear in new cabinet ministers kicks off at Rideau Hall in the presence of the prime minister and Governor General Mary Simon.

Ginette Ginette Petitpas Taylor is sworn in as president of the Treasury Board, David McGuinty as public safety minister and Anita Anand as minister of transport and internal trade. 

Steven MacKinnon is sworn in as minister of employment workforce development and labour. 

Gary Anandasangaree takes on northern affairs to his existing role as minister of Crown-Indigenous relations.

The prime minister also welcomes new faces into cabinet. 

Ruby Sahota becomes minister of democratic institutions and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. 

Rachel Bendayan is sworn in as minister of official languages and associate minister of public safety while Élisabeth Brière becomes minister of national revenue.

Terry Duguid takes his oath to become minister of sport and minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. 

Nate Erskine-Smith becomes minister of housing, infrastructure and communities. 

Darren Fisher takes on the roles of minister of veteran affairs and associate minister of national defence. 

Joanne Thompson becomes minister of seniors.

11:30 a.m.

Dartmouth, N.S. MP Darren Fisher arrives at Rideau Hall with his family. As reporters shouted questions about why he still supports the prime minister, he responded: "I'm just excited to be here today."

Fisher is to be sworn in as the veterans affairs minister.

Steven MacKinnon, who is adding employment to his existing role as labour minister, arrived with his wife and three kids in tow. When asked for his thoughts on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's future he said "the prime minister is the prime minister."

11 a.m. 

Cabinet ministers and those about to become a cabinet minister have started arriving at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. 

It is the coldest day of the year thus far in the capital city - and the coldest December day in five years, according to some weather watchers.

Rachel Bendayan, soon to be sworn in as minister of official languages and associate minister of public safety, arrived with her husband and daughter.

Ruby Sahota, who is about to become the minister of democratic institutions, arrived with her son, Nihal.

Gary Anandasangaree, who is having his portfolio of Crown-Indigenous relations adjusted slightly to add northern affairs, arrived solo.

10:30 a.m.

The Canadian Press has confirmed there will be eight new ministers in cabinet while four others will have their roles changed.

The new faces include Montreal MP Rachel Bendayan, Winnipeg MP Terry Duguid, Toronto MP Nate Erskine-Smith, Ottawa MP David McGuinty, Dartmouth, N.S. MP Darren Fisher, Brampton, Ont. MP Ruby Sahota, St. John's MP Joanne Thompson and Sherbrooke, Que. MP Élisabeth Brière.

Anita Anand will stay on as minister of transport but the role of president of the Treasury Board will go to Ginette Petitpas Taylor. Steven MacKinnon will add employment minister to his role as labour minister, while Gary Anandasangaree will add northern affairs to his existing role as minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

The shuffle is schedule to take place at 11:30 a.m.

Trudeau's public itinerary does not include a media availability today.

MORE National ARTICLES

Youth arrested after alleged threat of school shooting in Richmond police say

Youth arrested after alleged threat of school shooting in Richmond police say
Police say a youth has been arrested after a report of online threats against a school in the Metro Vancouver community of Richmond. RCMP say the Richmond School District contacted them on Saturday about alleged threats that a shooting would take place at a particular school on Monday. 

Youth arrested after alleged threat of school shooting in Richmond police say

B.C. breaks vaccination records, with 82,000 COVID-19 and flu shots in one day

B.C. breaks vaccination records, with 82,000 COVID-19 and flu shots in one day
The health ministry says in a news release invitations for priority populations started going out on Oct. 8, and on the first day of delivery on Oct. 15, B.C. pharmacies administered almost 82,000 vaccinations. It says that was a record for any single day, with about 50,000 shots for the flu, and about 32,000 for COVID-19.

B.C. breaks vaccination records, with 82,000 COVID-19 and flu shots in one day

Veteran Quebec TV exec Marie-Philippe Bouchard named new CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada

Veteran Quebec TV exec Marie-Philippe Bouchard named new CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada
A seasoned Quebec television executive has been appointed as the next president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says Marie-Philippe Bouchard will step into the top role at Canada's public broadcaster.

Veteran Quebec TV exec Marie-Philippe Bouchard named new CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada

Justin Trudeau says his leadership is not in danger as Liberals brace for revolt

Justin Trudeau says his leadership is not in danger as Liberals brace for revolt
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his leadership of the Liberal party is not in danger, even as members of his caucus prepare to confront him Wednesday in the hopes of convincing him to step down. He brushed off those concerns as he headed into his regular Tuesday meeting with cabinet ministers.

Justin Trudeau says his leadership is not in danger as Liberals brace for revolt

John Rustad shares his B.C. Conservative origin story, in postelection message

John Rustad shares his B.C. Conservative origin story, in postelection message
John Rustad has taken to social media to describe his origin story as leader of British Columbia's Conservative Party, which he took from obscurity to the brink of power in Saturday's provincial election. The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind Premier David Eby's New Democrats.

John Rustad shares his B.C. Conservative origin story, in postelection message

BC hiker missing since 14 days

BC hiker missing since 14 days
Mounties in northeastern B-C say "extensive resources" including police dogs have been deployed in the search for a man who has failed to return from a 10-day camping trip in a remote provincial park. R-C-M-P say Sam Benastick's family reported him missing on Saturday, after he didn't come home from the trip to Redfern-Keily Park, about 250 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John.

BC hiker missing since 14 days