OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning a substantial cabinet shuffle for Wednesday aiming to strengthen the Liberal government’s focus on what it is now calling an “affordability crisis,” government sources said.
Four cabinet ministers have already announced they will not be running in the next election and all are expected to be removed from cabinet.
Senior government officials speaking on the condition they not be named said Wednesday’s shuffle will be significant and designed to present a fresh approach on the economy. They acknowledged inflation remains stubbornly high, rents are skyrocketing and Canadians are struggling.
“This is literally the biggest issue we are all facing right now,” said one government source.
The government’s previous messaging has acknowledged that inflation was high, but painted it as a global problem in which Canada was doing better than many other countries. The sources who spoke to Post said they still believe that, but realize now the government need to take a more active role in helping with affordability.
“We are not going to sit here on our hands,” one government source said.
The shuffle is rumoured to be the most significant cabinet overhaul since the Liberals were elected. The sources said the prime minister considered changes to every portfolio.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced online Tuesday morning that he won’t run in the next election and will be stepping down from cabinet.
“After almost 11 years as a member of Parliament, two and a half years as a minister and six elections, I’ve made the difficult decision to not run in the next election,” he said in a video posted online. “As a result of this decision. I’m also stepping aside from my role as minister, because the prime minister deserves a cabinet that is committed to running in the next federal campaign.”
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Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray also announced she would not run in the next election whenever it may come.
“My work in politics and time serving my community both federally and provincially as an elected official has been the honour of my life,” she said.
Murray served in three cabinet posts: Treasury Board, digital government and now fisheries. She also placed second in the Liberal leadership race that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won.
Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek also announced she would be stepping down from her portfolio.
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“It has been an immense honour and a privilege to represent our community at both the provincial and federal levels as well as serving in Cabinet at both levels,” she said.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett announced she would not run again on Monday.
Alghabra was first elected as an MP in 2006, but lost in 2008 before returning to office in 2015. He said it was difficult to step away, but felt the time was right after nearly 11 years as an MP.
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Jaczek was first elected federally in 2019, after having served as a member of the provincial legislature in Ontario.
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