Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the federal government will not bring former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney into the Liberal cabinet, ending weeks of speculation about a high-profile reshuffle.
In an interview with Brunswick News, LeBlanc said discussions with Carney have ended, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured him that the finance portfolio will remain his ministry.
The confirmation comes after a period of political uncertainty triggered by Chrystia Freeland’s sudden resignation from cabinet on Monday.
The Globe and Mail, citing three unnamed sources, reported that Freeland decided to step down after Trudeau told her during a Friday Zoom call that Carney would replace her.
Since then, rumours swirled that Carney would be the new finance minister.
With Carney out of the picture, Trudeau’s anticipated cabinet shuffle is still expected to occur, possibly as soon as Friday.
According to the Globe and Mail, Trudeau will move LeBlanc out of his previous role at Public Safety and fill several vacant spots created as multiple Liberal ministers are not seeking re-election.
Most recently, Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced he would not run again, creating speculation about who might take on that portfolio.
A senior Liberal source told the Globe and Mail on Sunday that Toronto MP Nate Erskine-Smith is likely to enter cabinet in the upcoming shakeup, perhaps overseeing housing.
Although Erskine-Smith had previously declared he would not run again, he is now expected to remain on the ballot to strengthen the party’s position in the next campaign.
Meanwhile, internal discontent over Trudeau’s leadership appears to be growing.
Brunswick News reported on Wednesday that Jenica Atwin, the Fredericton MP who left the Greens for the Liberals in 2021 at LeBlanc’s suggestion, now says Trudeau should step aside.
Atwin added she would not seek re-election under his continued leadership.
Atwin joins at least 15 other Liberal MPs who have openly called for Trudeau’s resignation, including Brendan Hanley, Yvan Baker, Helena Jaczek, Patrick Weiler, Wayne Long, René Arseneault, Chad Collins, Sean Casey, Anthony Housefather, Francis Drouin, Ken Hardie, Serge Cormier, Alexandra Mendès and Ken McDonald.
Long, a New Brunswick MP, circulated a letter Wednesday urging colleagues to “speak up” and demand Trudeau’s departure.
“The time for loyalty at all costs … has passed,” wrote Long.
“This isn’t just about one man – it’s about saving our party from a historic defeat.”
As Trudeau faces mounting pressure to step down and call an election, the country awaits cabinet announcements with both anticipation and uncertainty.
