Monday, December 22, 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

More than a quarter of Canadians will spend at least 100 bones on Halloween: poll

More than a quarter of Canadians will spend at least 100 bones on Halloween: poll
A new poll suggests more than a quarter of Canadians will spend $100 or more on Halloween, with roughly 70 per cent of respondents saying they'll fork over as much money as they did last year on candy and costumes. That's according to polling firm Leger, which surveyed 1,520 adults this month on their Halloween habits.  

More than a quarter of Canadians will spend at least 100 bones on Halloween: poll

Recounts rarely alter elections. There's another reason they matter, says B.C. expert

Recounts rarely alter elections. There's another reason they matter, says B.C. expert
Premier David Eby's NDP claimed victory on Monday in B.C.'s Oct. 19 election, but the counting isn't over. Two judicial recounts were triggered at the end of the "final count," by an NDP candidate's 27-vote victory margin in Surrey-Guildford, and a Conservative candidate's 38-vote win in Kelowna Centre.

Recounts rarely alter elections. There's another reason they matter, says B.C. expert

Ottawa urged to halt imports of endangered monkeys for drug testing, amid U.S. probe

Ottawa urged to halt imports of endangered monkeys for drug testing, amid U.S. probe
The influx of long-tailed macaques from Cambodia, which the U.S. alleges are being illegally captured from the wild, has animal advocates, researchers and opposition politicians sounding the alarm over animal welfare and potential public-health risks. The latest push comes from the federal NDP, which is urging Ottawa to bring "immediate attention" to the issue. 

Ottawa urged to halt imports of endangered monkeys for drug testing, amid U.S. probe

Telecommunication theft in Abbotsford

Telecommunication theft in Abbotsford
Police say they're investigating an increase in thefts targeting Telus communication lines in the Abbotsford area. A statement from Abbotsford police says the thefts have interrupted 9-1-1 service and resulted in 100-thousand-dollars' worth of damage.

Telecommunication theft in Abbotsford

Pedestrian struck in Surrey

Pedestrian struck in Surrey
Mounties in Surrey are asking the public for dash-camera footage after a crash that sent a pedestrian to hospital with serious injuries. R-C-M-P say it happened last night in the area of 188 Street and 60 Avenue, where the man was allegedly struck by the driver of an Audi Q-3 S-U-V.

Pedestrian struck in Surrey

'Not how we do things,' Freeland rejects secret Liberal leadership ballot idea

'Not how we do things,' Freeland rejects secret Liberal leadership ballot idea
Last week, 24 members of the caucus signed on to a letter calling on the prime minister to step down, but the next day Trudeau said firmly that he will lead his party into the next election. Some of the dissenters are now calling for Liberal MPs to vote in a secret ballot on whether Trudeau should remain leader.

'Not how we do things,' Freeland rejects secret Liberal leadership ballot idea