(OTTAWA) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make a minor cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday ahead of the return to Parliament on Sept. 19.
Posted at 2:36 p.m.
Updated at 3:03 p.m.
Liberal sources had told The Press that this cabinet reshuffle was intended to replace the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Joyce Murray, who reportedly expressed the wish to be relieved of her duties. But another liberal source dismissed that scenario outright, saying “no one is coming out of cabinet.”
This reshuffle would not affect any of the ministers holding key government positions. “There will be a small adjustment to the cabinet involving two ministers to take into account a family situation,” said a source who requested anonymity.
The reshuffle will come a week before a cabinet retreat in Vancouver, which will take place September 6-8. This retreat is an opportunity to take stock of the government’s legislative priorities in anticipation of the return to parliament on September 19.
This return to Parliament promises to be eventful: Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are discreetly preparing for the arrival on the scene of Pierre Poilievre as leader of the Conservative Party and leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. The race for the leadership of the Conservative Party will come to an end on Saturday, September 10. Mr. Poilievre, who is considered the leader, according to the majority of observers, faces four other candidates: former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Ontario MPs Leslyn Lewis and Scott Aitchison, as well as former MPP from Ontario, Roman Baber.
PHOTO DUSTIN PATAR, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
First elected in 2018, Ms.me Murray represents the riding of Vancouver-Quadra, considered a Liberal stronghold. She previously served as Minister of Digital Government and President of the Treasury Board.
Mme Murray was conspicuously absent on Tuesday as the Canadian Coast Guard held an official opening ceremony for its new Hardy Bay base in Port Hardy, British Columbia. In addition to the inauguration of the facility, there was a ceremony to officially welcome the CCGS Pachena Bay within the fleet.
It will be the first cabinet change since the Liberals re-elected in the September 2021 federal election.