Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, Ottawa, ON – This morning, in an attempt to ready the Liberals for the next election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a significant cabinet shuffle. This shuffle was not a surprise and was anticipated to be the largest change since 2021 – and that it was. The front bench has undergone a makeover with several new ministers sworn in and a significant change to key portfolios.
Quick Facts
- Only 8 members of cabinet will remain in their current role.
- A total of 23 changes were made to the cabinet.
- 7 new MPs joining the front bench for the first time.
- 7 ministers will be leaving the front bench.
The 8 Remaining
- Chrystia Freeland will remain Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
- François-Philippe Champagne will remain Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISED).
- Steven Guilbeault will remain Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
- Patty Hajdu will remain Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
- Marci Ien will remain Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth.
- Mélanie Joly will remain Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Filomena Tassi will remain Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
- Dan Vandal will remain Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada as well as Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
The 23 Changes
- Anita Anand will become Treasury Board President.
- Sean Fraser will become Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities which is a vital role as Trudeau narrows his focus on the housing issue Canada is experiencing.
- Ahmed Hussen will become Minister of International Development.
- Bill Blair will become Minister of National Defence.
- Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc will become Minister of Public Safety whilst also keeping his current role.
- Mark Holland will become Minister of Health.
- Karina Gould will become House Leader*
- Marc Miller will become Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
- Diane Lebouthillier will become Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
- Pablo Rodriguez will become Minister of Transport whilst continuing to serve as Quebec Lieutenant.
- Pascale St-Onge will become Minister of Canadian Heritage.
- Marie-Claude Bibeau will become Minister of National Revenue.
- Randy Boissonnault will become Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.
- Jean-Yves Duclos will become Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
- Gudie Hutchings will become Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
- Kamal Khera will become Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities.
- Lawrence MacAulay will become Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
- Mary Ng will become Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development.
- Seamus O’Regan will become Minister of Labour and Minister of Seniors.
- Jonathan Wilkinson will become Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
- Harjit S. Sajjan will become Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister Responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, as well as President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada.
- Carla Qualtrough will become Minister of Sport and Physical Activity.
- Ginette Petitpas Taylor will become Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.
* New House Leader Karina Gould has announced upcoming parental leave in the winter therefore the Honourable Steven MacKinnon (Chief Government Whip) will serve as House Leader in her absence. Deputy Government Whip Ruby Sahota will step up as Chief Government Whip to replace MacKinnon while he is gone.
The 7 Newcomers
- Arif Virani will become Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
- Rechie Valdez will become Minister of Small Business.
- Gary Anandasangaree will become Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
- Soraya Martinez-Ferrada will become Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.
- Jenna Sudds will become Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
- Ya’ara Saks will become Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.
- Terry Beech will become Minister of Citizens Services.
The 7 Leaving
- Joyce Murray who is the former Minister of Fisheries announced that she will not be running in the next election.
- Omar Alghabra who is the former Transport Minister announced that he will not be running in the next election.
- Helena Jaczek who is the former Minister of Public Services and Procurement announced that she will not be running in the next election.
- Carolyn Bennett who is the former Minister of Mental Health and Addictions announced she will not be running in the next election.
- Former Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino was removed from cabinet. He has announced that he will run in the next election.
- Former President of Treasury Board Mona Fortier was removed from cabinet. She is expected to run in the next election.
- Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti was removed from cabinet. It is unknown if he will run again in the next election.
This cabinet shuffle will allow ministers to meet with government officials, learn their files and re-build their political policy teams where needed before the fall session starts on September 18th. While a congratulatory letter is always a nice first touch, it may be better to wait a month or two until ministers settle into their new roles. If you know staffers who are moving to a new office (or staying with a new minister) reach out to them in the next couple of weeks to touch base. Organizations have a great opportunity to meet these new ministers over the coming months.
Need help communicating with government? Grassroots Public Affairs can help! Contact us to start building a GR plan ahead of the fall session.
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