Justin Trudeau has unveiled a new cabinet. CBC News has confirmed that Steven Guilbeault will be the new environment minister. Guilbeault is a renowned environmentalist with an impressive portfolio. The activist previously served as the heritage minister. Steven worked at Greenpeace and Equiterre as well.
Steven’s appointment comes after the just-concluded climate change conference in Glasgow. Justin Trudeau was one of the keynote speakers at the UN climate talks dubbed COP26.
The Embattled Defense Ministry
The shuffle is expected to replace the minister of defense, Harjit Sajjan. He has held that position since 2015. Under Harjit Sajjan, the defense ministry has been mired in unending crises.
Conservatives are baying for Sajjan’s blood. They’re calling for Sajjan’s resignation. They accuse the minister of failing to respond to sexual misconduct. Sajjan will, however, be retained in the cabinet under a new portfolio.
The New Defense Minister
Anita Anand has been confirmed as the incoming defense minister. Anita moves from her docket as the minister of public procurement and services. She comes highly recommended for having done a fantastic job of procuring vaccines to fight the pandemic.
Anita becomes the second woman to hold this important cabinet position. The first female defense minister was Kim Campbell back in 1993.
Other new faces expected to join the cabinet include Sean Fraser from Central Nova and Marci Len from Toronto.
The shuffle also impacts most senior staffers in Justin’s office.
The Junior Health Minister
Apart from the two key reshuffles, many other heads of government will be affected by the cabinet shuffle. Other senior officials will be moving to new portfolios include Patty Hajdu. Patty has been the health minister since before the pandemic.
Liberal sources tell us of plans to add a slot for a junior health minister. These sources also say that two to three ministers will be axed from the Trudeau cabinet altogether.
Chrystia Freeland is the only senior minister who will not be affected by the shuffle. Freeland will retain her positions as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister.
Swearing-in Ceremony
The new cabinet will officially start its tenure next Tuesday after the swearing-in ceremony. The event will be held at Rideau Hall. Watch CBC for the full coverage.
Trudeau’s new cabinet is expected to be gender-balanced. And, the cabinet will feature leaders from all regions.
