In an attempt to revive decreasing popularity and embed the Liberal government with fresh faces ahead of a return to Parliament this fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his new picks for a cabinet on Wednesday.
Speculation that Trudeau would be switching out some of his past core team members have circulated in Ottawa for some time now.
Trudeau announced his new picks today in an hour-long affair in Rideau Hall and they included several key portfolios.
Dominic LeBlanc was named as the new Minister of Public Safety to replace outgoing MP Marco Mendicino following a scandal involving his oversight of the transfer of Canadian serial killer and rapist Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison earlier this year. Mendicino was also dogged by his handling of the Freedom Convoy last year.
As for Anita Anand, she will be moving from her role as Defence Minister into the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat portfolio, while Bill Blair will be taking over her former role.
Additionally, MP David Lametti will no longer serve as Canada’s Minister of Justice, as his role will be taken over by Arif Virani. Lametti faced several hurdles while in cabinet, including the fallout from the invocation of the Emergencies Act by Trudeau and questions surrounding the federal government’s assisted suicide legislation.
Similarly Joyce Murray was replaced by Diane Lebouthillier as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans after deciding to abandon her role as MP for Vancouver Quadra.
“My work in politics and time serving my community both federally and provincially as an elected official has been the honour of my life,” said Murray on Tuesday.
Omar Alghabra is also out and will be replaced by Pablo Rodriguez who will act as the new Transport Minister. On Tuesday, Alghabra announced that he would not be running in the next federal election and would be stepping aside from cabinet – freeing the spot for his successor.
MP Helena Jaczek revealed she will no longer run for re-election and vacated her role as Public Services and Procurement Minister to Jean-Yves Duclos.
Meanwhile, the new Mental Health and Addictions Minister Yara Saks will replace outgoing MP Carolyn Bennett.
