Saturday, December 13, 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

Fiscal update in limbo after Freeland quits as finance minister

Fiscal update in limbo after Freeland quits as finance minister
The Liberal government's plans to unveil a fall economic update on Monday were thrown into disarray by the finance minister's abrupt resignation. Chrystia Freeland released a letter Monday morning announcing her decision to step aside after she and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada."

Fiscal update in limbo after Freeland quits as finance minister

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet the day of fall economic statement

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet the day of fall economic statement
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned from cabinet on the day she is set to present the government's fall economic statement. In a resignation letter posted to social media, she said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered her another role in cabinet on Friday, but that the only "honest and viable path" is to leave cabinet. 

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet the day of fall economic statement

Canada Post operations to resume on Tuesday, company says

Canada Post operations to resume on Tuesday, company says
The federal government pushed to end the work stoppage last week, when Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the 55,000 picketing employees back to work within days if it determined a deal isn't doable before the end of the year.

Canada Post operations to resume on Tuesday, company says

Justin Trudeau's cabinet bleeds star power on day of key economic update

Justin Trudeau's cabinet bleeds star power on day of key economic update
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is reeling as he loses top cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland who was set to release a key economic update on Monday. Freeland made a surprise declaration she's making her exit from cabinet because the prime minister lost faith in her, after she fought back against some of his policy decisions and he wanted to assign her to a new role.

Justin Trudeau's cabinet bleeds star power on day of key economic update

Emergency crews have located one body after mudslide displaced house in B.C.

Emergency crews have located one body after mudslide displaced house in B.C.
Squamish RCMP say emergency crews have recovered the body of one of the two people who may have been home after their residence was hit by the same mudslide that closed the Sea to Sky highway. BC RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy says the search continues this evening for a second person who remains unaccounted for.

Emergency crews have located one body after mudslide displaced house in B.C.

Interac e-transfer scams making the rounds in New Westminster

Interac e-transfer scams making the rounds in New Westminster
Police in New Westminster are warning the public about Interac e-transfer scams after a resident in the city was defrauded of three-thousand dollars. They say victims of this type of scam often receive an email that prompts them to click a link and enter their banking details.

Interac e-transfer scams making the rounds in New Westminster