Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced significant changes to his cabinet Friday, bringing in eight new ministers in one of his most extensive shuffles since becoming Prime Minister in 2015.
The overhaul follows the sudden resignation of Chrystia Freeland on December 16, who left the finance and deputy prime minister roles.
Trudeau had reportedly been weighing changes for some time, but Freeland’s departure forced his hand.
Trudeau announced a total of 12 changes to his cabinet, aiming to restore confidence and focus after a chaotic week in Ottawa.
Dominic LeBlanc, who takes over as finance minister, will no longer be responsible for public safety and democratic institutions.
Instead, longtime Ottawa David McGuinty MP moves into the public safety portfolio. McGuinty, whose brother Dalton was once Ontario’s premier, most recently led the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, known for its work on foreign interference.
The shuffle affects several other high-profile figures as well.
Anita Anand, who had served in multiple roles in recent weeks, will remain minister of transport, a job she assumed in September. She will also handle internal trade.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor will step into Anand’s former position at the Treasury Board.
Trudeau also elevated Toronto MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith to the role of housing minister, replacing Nova Scotia MP Sean Fraser. Erskine-Smith, who had previously indicated plans to leave federal politics, will now be counted on to address Canada’s ongoing housing challenges.
Manitoba MP Terry Duguid will serve as minister of sport and hold responsibility for Prairie Economic Development Canada.
The cabinet’s composition signals shifting regional dynamics.
There are now no Alberta MPs at the cabinet table and Quebec’s influence expands while Ontario is limited to three cabinet members, with two from the Toronto area.
Eleven Quebec ministers, including Trudeau himself, will help shape the government’s agenda.
In another Quebec move, Sherbrooke MP Élisabeth Brière replaces the departing Marie-Claude Bibeau as national revenue minister.
Rachel Bendayan moves into the role of minister of official languages and associate minister of public safety, while Steven MacKinnon becomes minister of employment, workforce development and labour.
Gary Anandasangaree assumes responsibilities for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, as well as the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Ruby Sahota steps into the minister of democratic institutions role and will oversee the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Darren Fisher will take up the Veterans Affairs portfolio and will be associate minister of national defence, while Newfoundland MP Joanne Thompson will become minister of seniors.
The prime minister’s reshaped cabinet reflects months of political pressure, a wave of resignations and a need to reset direction.
With this new team sworn in Friday morning, its first test will come quickly, as ministers meet for their first session Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. EST.