(Ottawa) Gatineau MP Steven MacKinnon becomes Minister of Labour and Seniors. He succeeds Seamus O’Regan, who announced his resignation the day before to spend more time with his spouse and the rest of his family. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, under fire since the Liberal defeat in Toronto–St. Paul’s, is therefore avoiding major changes to his Cabinet for the time being.
He arrived at Rideau Hall Friday morning with his spouse for his swearing-in. “It’s always an honour,” he exclaimed.
“Do you find yourself a little lonely?” he asked. The Press. “Yes, and it’s twice this year,” he joked.
During larger cabinet reshuffles, ministers sometimes enter in groups on the path to the Governor General’s residence.
Mr. MacKinnon was first elected in the Gatineau riding during the 2015 Liberal wave. He has been serving since January as government leader in the House of Commons, replacing Minister Karina Gould, who is on maternity leave until July 31. She is expected to resume her duties upon her return.
The Charlottetown, Nova Scotia native worked behind the scenes for a long time before becoming a member of Parliament. He was national director of the Liberal Party of Canada and an advisor to Prime Minister Paul Martin during his short term from 2003 to 2006. He also served as an advisor to New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna from 1988 to 1995.
Justin Trudeau’s leadership has been openly questioned since the Liberals lost Toronto–St. Paul’s to the Conservatives last month. Rumours have been circulating for weeks that former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney could join the cabinet even if he is not elected. Dissatisfaction with Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has also been percolating in the media. She is criticized for failing to get the government’s economic message across.
The Liberals have been trailing the Conservatives in voting intentions for about a year and are struggling to move the needle in their favor.