Sunday, December 14, 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

U.S. study links Canadian wildfire smoke to doctor visit spike in Baltimore

U.S. study links Canadian wildfire smoke to doctor visit spike in Baltimore
U.S. researchers published peer-reviewed findings Friday that suggest doctor visits in the Baltimore area for heart and lung problems increased by almost 20 per cent on six "hotspot" days linked to wildfire smoke from Western Canada. 

U.S. study links Canadian wildfire smoke to doctor visit spike in Baltimore

Federal minister asks labour board to intervene in Canada Post strike

Federal minister asks labour board to intervene in Canada Post strike
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he's referred the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board, with the aim of ordering the nearly 55,000 workers back to work and extending the current collective agreement until May 22, 2025 — if the board determines a deal isn't within immediate reach.

Federal minister asks labour board to intervene in Canada Post strike

Nine-vehicle crash in Surrey, shuts Highway 99, disrupting commuter traffic

Nine-vehicle crash in Surrey, shuts Highway 99, disrupting commuter traffic
Police in Surrey say a section of Highway 99 remains closed the day after a nine-vehicle crash that sent six people to hospital. The Surrey Police Service says a transport vehicle was involved in collisions in the northbound lanes before crossing the median into oncoming southbound traffic near the Highway 91 interchange around 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Nine-vehicle crash in Surrey, shuts Highway 99, disrupting commuter traffic

Meta gives in to CRTC disclosure order on Online News Act compliance

Meta gives in to CRTC disclosure order on Online News Act compliance
The CRTC asked Meta what measures it’s taking to comply with the Online News Act, and if news is being made available on its platforms — which would require the company to compensate media outlets for displaying their content. Meta blocked news from Facebook and Instagram in response to that legislation.

Meta gives in to CRTC disclosure order on Online News Act compliance

Some epilepsy patients worry their seizures will return amid medication shortage

Some epilepsy patients worry their seizures will return amid medication shortage
The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance says an ongoing shortage of an epilepsy medication is leaving some patients worried they'll start to have seizures again if they switch to an alternative.  The shortage of Teva-clobazam, which began last May, is expected to last until April next year, according to Health Canada's drug shortages website. 

Some epilepsy patients worry their seizures will return amid medication shortage

Canada not a significant source of fentanyl flowing into U.S., CBSA says

Canada not a significant source of fentanyl flowing into U.S., CBSA says
As Canada looks to beef up its border security after president-elect Donald Trump threatened tariffs while raising concerns about illicit fentanyl pouring into his country, border officials pointed out there's barely any coming from Canada. Though, none of them wanted to say the name Trump when they said so.

Canada not a significant source of fentanyl flowing into U.S., CBSA says