Justin Trudeau proceeded to the formation of his Council of Ministers by placing his women and men of confidence in key positions. He gave up on sparing the susceptibilities of the west of the country by appointing Steven Guilbeault Minister of the Environment. The Prime Minister acted as if he had nothing more to lose, as if the important thing was to leave his mark before this term ends.
It is said that Steven Guilbeault, appointed Minister of Canadian Heritage in 2019, advised the Trudeau government on environmental issues. The member for Laurier – Sainte-Marie now holds the portfolio, and it is he who will accompany Justin Trudeau to COP26 in Scotland.
Two years ago, Justin Trudeau doubtless feared that the appointment to the Environment of a former environmental activist would spark an outcry in the western provinces and on the part of climate skeptics. What is more, Steven Guilbeault had just arrived in politics and lacked experience, which he has shown to Heritage. We can believe that he learned from his blunders.
Steven Guilbeault will form a tandem with the previous Minister of the Environment, Jonathan Wilkinson, who becomes Minister of Natural Resources. Before entering politics, this member from North Vancouver worked for 20 years for companies active in green technologies. It is not insignificant to appoint to Natural Resources an elected official who manifests an ecological sensitivity instead of an apostle of economic development who would have acted as a counterweight.
Justin Trudeau entrusts the Ministry of Health to Jean-Yves Duclos, who has shown his skill and solidity as a member of Parliament for Quebec by maintaining the federal position on the third link without losing feathers. He is therefore responsible for increasing federal health care funding, subject to conditions. It is up to him to maneuver to respond to the fierce opposition expressed by the Legault government.
We must not believe that this is a demotion for him, who occupied the position of President of the Treasury Board, since the intrusion of Ottawa into health is one of the priorities of the Trudeau government. Moreover, not only in Finances but also in the Treasury, it is Chrystia Freeland who leads the way, which confirms the appointment of Mona Fortier, a second-rate minister, to replace Jean-Yves Duclos.
The Indigenous issue is not only a reason for repeated apologies for Justin Trudeau, it is also another priority. He moved his Montreal friend Marc Miller from Minister of Indigenous Services, a secondary role, to that of Crown-Indigenous Relations, a primary responsibility.
Another friend of the Liberal leader, Dominic LeBlanc, is gaining ground by adding to his duties as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs those of Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, responsible for federal investments in public transit.
In general, the weight of elected representatives from Quebec in this Council of Ministers remains what it was, with ten Quebec ministers; we can even consider that it is more imposing given the responsibilities incumbent upon them. If Marc Garneau is no longer a minister, Mélanie Joly takes over as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a prestigious position commensurate with the considerable ambitions of the elected Montrealer. It’s quite a challenge: Canada’s foreign policy needs to be thoroughly reviewed, and relations with China are proving to be a headache. And since she was Minister responsible for Official Languages, she could ensure the return of Francophones to positions of influence in Canadian diplomacy.
The hyperactive Minister François-Philippe Champagne retains the important portfolio of Innovation, Science and Industry, where he has advanced the economy of Quebec. Pablo Rodriguez, who is abandoning the monopolistic position of parliamentary leader, takes over the portfolio of Canadian Heritage, which he already held. He must relaunch Bill C-10 modernizing the Broadcasting Act and tackle the taxation of Internet giants and the sharing of their revenues.
Justin Trudeau, whose government is stronger than during the previous mandate, is no longer a prime minister who thinks above all about obtaining a majority mandate. Assured of the support of the New Democrats, it will be able to pursue its progressive aims and strengthen its environmental action. It is obviously a double-edged knife. If he fails or if it is his arrogance that is held back, he will only have to blame himself.