After a chaotic week, which saw Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland step down from her cabinet positions, Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced changes to the Ministry on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Officials from the Prime Minister’s office say the new Ministry will deliver on what matters most to Canadians: making life more affordable and growing the economy.
Building on the work done since 2015 to invest in Canadians, the team will continue to move forward on housing, child care, and school food while working to put more money back in people’s pockets.
“Our team is focused on the things that matter most to you – making life more affordable, growing the economy, and creating good jobs for the middle class,” Prime Minister Trudeau stated, in a media release.
“Together, we will keep building a strong future for the middle class, and for all Canadians.”
Meanwhile, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, announced in a letter posted online on Friday he “will vote to bring this government down” and enter a non-confidence motion as soon as possible.
“The Canadian dream is a good job that gets you a home and a fridge full of groceries with enough left over to save for vacations,” Singh wrote.
“A country where health care is always there as soon as you need it. I believe every Canadian deserves that. The Trudeau Liberals said a lot of the right things. Then they let people down again and again. Justin Trudeau failed in the biggest job a Prime Minister has: to work for people, not the powerful. To focus on Canadians, not themselves.”
Singh added: “The Liberals don’t deserve another chance. That’s why the NDP will vote to bring this government down, and give Canadians a chance to vote for a government who will work for them. No matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government’s time is up. We will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons.”
Singh said he called forthe Prime Minister to resign,
“And he should,” Singh wrote.
“He can’t fix health care. He can’t build homes you can afford. He can’t lower your bills. I have always fought for people. I fought like hell to get dental care, free birth control and diabetes medication. I didn’t give up when Justin Trudeau said no. And I won’t let Pierre Poilievre take it all away.”
Singh added: “The next fight is a big one. Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives will give CEOs and big business anything they want, and make callous cuts to pay for it. They will cut health care, child care, housing and people’s pensions. Canadians can come together and build a country where we take better care of each other. A country where we create good jobs. Stand up to the threats of Trump’s tariffs. And where everyone has a chance to succeed. I will be working hard to build a movement that can win in the next election. Join me in this fight.”
As announced by the Prime Minister’s office, the changes to the Ministry are as follows:
– Anita Anand becomes Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
– Gary Anandasangaree becomes Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
– Steven MacKinnon becomes Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
– Ginette Petitpas Taylor becomes President of the Treasury Board
The Prime Minister also welcomed the following new members to the Ministry:
– Rachel Bendayan becomes Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety
– Élisabeth Brière becomes Minister of National Revenue
– Terry Duguid becomes Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
– Nate Erskine-Smith becomes Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
– Darren Fisher becomes Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
– David J. McGuinty becomes Minister of Public Safety
– Ruby Sahota becomes Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
– Joanne Thompson becomes Minister of Seniors
These new ministers will work with all members of Cabinet to deliver real, positive change for Canadians. They join the following ministers remaining in their portfolio:
– Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services
– Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
– François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
– Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
– Karina Gould, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
– Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
– Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
– Mark Holland, Minister of Health
– Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development
– Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
– Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
– Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
– Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs
– Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
– Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
– Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
– Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
– Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
– Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
– Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
– Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage
– Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
– Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business
– Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
– Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
With the changes announced on Friday, the Ministry retains a total of 38 ministers, in addition to the Prime Minister.
In keeping with the precedent set in 2015, there is an equal number of women and men.
The Cabinet is the central decision-making forum in government, responsible for its administration and the establishment of its policy. Its members are each responsible for individual portfolios or departments, officials with the Prime Minister’s office stated.
