Canada's Justin Trudeau Reshuffles Cabinet, Adds 8 New MPs Amid Calls To Step Down

Last Updated:December 20, 2024, 23:03 IST

Canadian PM Trudeau is facing widespread unpopularity and calls to step down as his last ally NDP said it will vote to bring the Liberal government down.

Canadian PM Trudeau is hanging by a thread as a growing number of MPs have called on him to step down. (Reuters)

Amid widespread calls for resignation and discontent from Canadians and his own Liberal Party, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reshuffled his Cabinet, adding eight new MPs and re-assigning four existing MPs, in a last-ditch attempt to appease Liberal MPs to stem the damage caused by two shocking resignations.

Eight new ministers were sworn in and four other existing cabinet members were reassigned at a ceremony at Ottawa’s Rideau Hall on Friday. The reshuffle came after the resignations of deputy PM Chrystia Freeland and Liberal MP Sean Fraser, dealing two major blows to Trudeau’s government.

David McGuinty was appointed as the public safety minister, Élisabeth Brière as the new national revenue minister, Terry Duiguid as the sports minister, Nate Erskine-Smith as the new housing minister, Darren Fisher as the new veterans affairs minister, Ruby Sahota as the new democratic institutions minister, Joanne Thompson as the new seniors minister and Rachel Bendayan as the new official languages minister, according to Canada’s Global News.

Additionally, transport minister Anita Anand will take on internal trade. Gary Anandasangaree, the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and northern affairs, will take on the responsibility of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon will now also take over the portfolio of employment and workforce development, while the outgoing veterans affairs minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor has been appointed as the President of the Treasury Board.

Why Did Trudeau Reshuffle His Cabinet?

Trudeau is facing rising discontent over his leadership, and the abrupt departure of his finance minister may have dealt a shattering blow that his government may not recover from. This cabinet reshuffle was a chance to appease some disgruntled MPs by offering them cabinet positions.

Six cabinet ministers, Sean Fraser, Pablo Rodriguez, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Carla Qualtrough, Filomena Tassi and Dan Vandal, have already decided not to run for the next election, and Freeland’s departure means that there were eight cabinet spots to fill. Another MP had to resign over a scandal related to indigenous ancestry claims and business dealings last month.

Trudeau, who has led the country for nearly a decade, has become widely unpopular in recent years over a wide range of issues, including the high cost of living and rising inflation. The situation worsened when Freeland resigned over differences stemming from US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat of 25% tariffs.

Ottawa, Canada

News world Canada's Justin Trudeau Reshuffles Cabinet, Adds 8 New MPs Amid Calls To Step Down