Trudeau’s Cabinet: The essential breakdown of roles and priorities
2943 The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his Cabinet last week, with 30 members in addition to himself, 15 men and 15 women. In the process, several changes were made to the machinery of government, giving some departments new titles and transferring responsibilities for some agencies.
The Liberal government made an order-in-council to terminate the assignments of the various minister of state roles. The previous government had ministers of state for Multiculturalism, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Social Development, and the regional development agencies. But the regional economic development agencies now fall under the purview of the minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, while Multiculturalism is the Heritage minister’s responsibility. Social Development goes to the minister for Families, Children and Social Development.
Five other Cabinet positions were changed “to be styled as” ministers, but are still acting in “assisting” roles rather than the full Cabinet roles of the other 25 ministers. It was not clear by deadline whether this change made in the order-in-council on the day of the swearing-in has changed the salary for these five ministers.
According to the CBC, citing “a senior government source speaking on background,” the government intends to make all five of them “full” ministers, but they are waiting on the Treasury Board to make changes to the statutes of Cabinet roles. It was not immediately clear whether this means the five will have heightened roles or responsibilities. According to the PCO, their roles are still to assist other ministries.
One of them, Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, Ont.), told The Hill Times she had no idea what it meant either. Following the Liberal caucus’ first meeting on Nov. 5, Ms. Duncan was asked if she knew whether her position was formally a minister or a minister of state, or if there was a pay difference.
“I’ve had [a] one-hour briefing, one hour,” she said. “I have a big briefing tomorrow, and I’ve got a binder, and that’s where we are.”
According to the House of Commons, Cabinet ministers earn $80,100 in addition to MP salaries of $167,400, while ministers of state earn an additional $60,000. All five of the ministers in this position are women: Ms. Duncan, minister of Science; Patricia Hajdu (Thunder Bay-Superior North, Ont.), minister of Status of Women; Carla Qualtrough (Delta, B.C.), minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities; Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, Ont.), minister of Small Business and Tourism; and Marie-Claude Bibeau (Compton-Stanstead, Que.) in her position as minister of Francophonie. Ms. Bibeau was also sworn in as the minister of International Development.
The sixth order-in-council terminated the assignments of the ministers of State. Neither the Liberal government nor the Privy Council Office had clarified what it all meant by deadline Friday.
Here’s a rundown of the new Cabinet and the role ministers will play in government:
(Regina-Wascana, Sask.)
The File: Mr. Goodale’s most high-profile responsibility will be reforming the anti-terrorism law, Bill C-51, introduced by the last government. He is also next in line to take over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s duties if needed. The Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness deputy minister is François Guimont, and the department has a $1.2-billion budget for 2015-16, according to the Main Estimates.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Canada in the World and Public Security; vice-chair of the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations. Member of Agenda and Results; Intelligence and Emergency Management; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Mr. Goodale was first elected as an MP in 1974, at the age of 24. He was then the Saskatchewan Liberal leader before coming back to the Hill in 1993. He’s held several high-profile Cabinet positions.
(Cardigan, P.E.I.)
The File: Mr. MacAulay will have handle the agriculture industry’s reaction, depending on where the new government goes on the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership. His deputy minister is Andrea Lyon, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has a $2.3-billion annual budget for this year.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. MacAulay was a farmer and businessman before entering politics in 1988. His 2015 victory was his ninth in a row and he’s been Labour minister and minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
(Saint-Laurent, Que.)
The File: Mr. Dion will need some briefings from Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Daniel Jean as he’s expeted to join Mr. Trudeau at a G-20 meeting in Ankara, Turkey on Nov. 15, an Asia Pacifi c Economic Summit scheduled for Nov. 18-19, a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta Nov. 27-29, and the COP-21 Climate Conference in Paris beginning Nov. 30. The department’s name is now Global Affairs Canada, with a $5.5-billion budget that also covers International Trade and International Development.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Environment, Climate Change and Energy and a member of Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Mr. Dion was past leader of the Liberal Party and he has been an MP since 1996. He was Environment minister under Paul Martin. Prior to politics he was a professor.
(Markham-Thornhill, Ont.)
The File: Mr. McCallum will have one of the most scrutinized fi les, fulfilling a campaign promise that may not be possible: bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year. The department is now called Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and has a $1.5-billion budget. The deputy minister is Anita Biguzs.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Diversity and Inclusion and vice-chair of Treasury Board. Member of Canada in the World and Public Security, and the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations.
Background: Mr. McCallum was first elected in 2000. He has held a number of government and critic roles. Prior to entering politics he was chief economist of the Royal Bank of Canada.
(Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont.)
The File: Ms. Bennett is charged with resetting the relationship to nation-tonation interaction and consultation, and steering the government into a national inquiry into the 1,200 missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada. This will involve reviewing all First Nations-related federal legislation, and removing the funding gap on education spending. The name of the department has also been changed, to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and the deputy minister is Colleen Swords. The department has a $8.2-billion budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Diversity and Inclusion; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Ms. Bennett was the Liberal Aboriginal Affairs critic in the last Parliament. She was fi rst elected in 1997 and was minister of state for Public Health in 2003. Prior to politics Ms. Bennett had a medical practice.
(Kings-Hants, N.S.)
The File: Mr. Brison has been tasked with restoring a sense of respect between the government and the public service after years of cuts, and he inherits the ongoing collective bargaining with the unions. He’ll also have to work with the $6.9-billion budget. The secretary is Yaprak Baltacıoğlu.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Treasury Board. Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation, and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Mr. Brison was fi rst elected in 1997 as a Progressive Conservative but crossed the fl oor in 2003. He served as minister of Public Works under Paul Martin. Most recently, he was the Liberal Finance critic.
(Beauséjour, N.B.)
The File: Mr. LeBlanc will be the steward of government legislation and he’ll have to work alongside the other parties’ House leaders while developing communication with the Senate. The Liberals have also promised changes to some traditions in the House that will fall to him, such as ending the use of omnibus bills. He has a $443-million operating budget for the House.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Parliamentary Affairs. Member of Agenda and Results; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Intelligence and Emergency Management; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Mr. LeBlanc served as Liberal House leader in the last Parliament and has been a Parliamentarian since 2000. He has also served as Parliamentary secretary to the government House leader, and deputy chief government whip.
(Mississauga-Malton, Ont.)
The File: Mr. Bains has a $1.2-billion budget from the department formerly called Industry Canada, now called Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. His deputy minister is John Knubley, and Mr. Bains will be assisted in his role by Kirsty Duncan, minister of Science, and Bardish Chagger, minister of Small Business and Tourism. He is also now responsible for six regional economic development agencies.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Agenda and Results; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Bains was a Liberal MP from 2004-2011. His background is in accounting and he has close ties to local charities and cultural groups in his riding.
(Toronto Centre, Ont.)
The File: The Liberal’s first piece of legislation will be implementing a middleclass tax cut. It’ll be Mr. Morneau’s responsibility to oversee that, which will result in raising taxes for wealthy Canadians. Then it’s federal budget time. His deputy minister is Paul Rochon, and the Finance Department has a $89.6-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Agenda and Results; Treasury Board; and Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation.
Background: Mr. Morneau is an experienced businessman, having led his family’s business Morneau Shepell since 1990. In 2012 he was a pension investment adviser for the Ontario finance minister and he also chaired the C.D. Howe Institute, a public policy think tank.
(Vancouver Granville, B.C.)
The File: Ms. Raybould will step into a portfolio awaiting several major responses, and will have to work to repair relations with the Supreme Court of Canada. Atop her priority list will be navigating the future of assisted suicide in Canada. As well the Liberals promised to amend the Criminal Code to tighten rules around domestic violence. Her deputy minister is William Pentney, and the department has a $674-million budget.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-chair of Canada in the World and Public Security, and of Intelligence and Emergency Management. Member of Agenda and Results; Diversity and Inclusion; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Raybould has experience as a provincial Crown prosecutor and regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations.
(Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, Nfld.)
The File: Ms. Foote will lead in pulling Canada out of the F-35 fighter jet procurement and starting up a new process for replacing the outdated CF-18s, as well as taking on the shipbuilding fi le. Public Works and Government Services is now Public Services and Procurement Canada. The deputy minister is George Da Pont and the department has a budget of $2.9-billion for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Open and Transparent Government, and vice-chair of Parliamentary Affairs. Member of Agenda and Results, and of Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Ms. Foote was the caucus whip during the last Parliament and is a former provincial cabinet minister who was re-elected in Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, Nfld. with 81.8 per cent of the vote.
(University-Rosedale, Ont.)
The File: Ms. Freeland’s deputy minister is Christine Hogan. Top of the list for the pair will be deciding on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that the last government signed, as well as working out details on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations, vice-chair of Environment, Climate Change and Energy. Member of Agenda and Results; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Canada in the World and Public Security.
Background: Ms. Freeland was elected to Parliament in 2013 and served as International Trade critic. She came to politics after a career in journalism, working in Europe, the U.S. and Canada at publications including Reuters, the Financial Times and The Globe and Mail.
(Markham-Stouffville, Ont.)
The File: For Health, the legalization of marijuana will generate a lot of media attention for the new minister. Ms. Philpott will be in charge of the $3-billion spending on improving home care, as well as working with the provinces and territories on a new Health Accord. Her deputy minister is Simon Kennedy and the department has a $3.7-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation. Member of Treasury Board, and Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Ms. Philpott ousted Conservative Paul Calandra. Before entering politics this campaign, she was chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital, and professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
(Quebec, Que.)
The File: Taking over the Employment and Social Development Canada department, Mr. Duclos will have a wide-ranging role, including the introduction of a new child benefit for families promised to lift 315,000 Canadian children out of poverty. The ESDC deputy minister is Ian Shugart and the department has a budget of $54-billion.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-Chair of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation. Member of Agenda and Results; Treasury Board; and Diversity and Inclusion.
Background: Mr. Duclos came into politics for the 2015 campaign. Previously he was the director of the economics department at Laval University.
(Notre Dame de Grace-Westmount, Que.)
The File: Mr. Garneau will be the point-person on tanker, road, air and rail safety. His deputy minister is Jean-François Tremblay and Transportation has a $1.6-billion budget in 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Canada in the World and Public Security; and the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations.
Background: Mr. Garneau has been a Liberal MP since 2008, serving many critic roles. Prior to that he was the first Canadian astronaut in space in 1984, after starting his career in the Navy.
(Compton-Stanstead, Que.)
The File: Ms. Bibeau’s first task will be to play a role in refugee resettlement, alongside deputy minister Malcolm Brown.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Diversity and Inclusion; and Canada in the World and Public Security.
Background: Ms. Bibeau worked as a public servant for the Canadian International Development Agency, both domestically and abroad. She then went on to run a local tourism business.
(Winnipeg South Centre, Man.)
The File: Mr. Carr will play an interesting role, having to balance environmental responsibility and indigenous land claims with energy projects such as pipelines. The deputy minister of Natural Resources is Bob Hamilton and the department has a budget of $2.2-billion for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Carr founded the Business Council of Manitoba and also sat in the Manitoba legislature. He also has experience as a journalist and musician.
(Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Que.)
The File: Ms. Joly’s new role will involve stickhandling the broadcast industry, including the CBC/Radio-Canada, as well as taking on the Multiculturalism fi le and the National Capital Commission in preparation for 150th anniversary celebrations in 2017. Graham Flack is the deputy minister, and Patricia A. Hajdu, minister of Status of Women, and Carla Qualtrough, minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, will also provide support.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-chair of Diversity and Inclusion. Member of Agenda and Results; Parliamentary Affairs; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Joly ran for mayor of Montreal in 2013, and she was part of Mr. Trudeau’s bid for the Liberal leadership. Prior to politics she worked as a communications consultant and lawyer. She also once interned at Radio-Canada, the broadcaster for which she’s now responsible.
(Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Que.)
The File: As head of the Canada Revenue Agency, Ms. Lebouthillier be responsible for implementing Liberal tax code changes, as well as acting on the promise to “overhaul” the agency’s service model. She will oversee the $80-million for catching tax evaders, and eventually work on legislative changes around charitable donations and what defines “political activity.” The agency’s CEO is Andrew Treusch and its 2015-16 budget is $3.8-billion.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Lebouthillier has a background in local politics, and prior to that she worked for 23 years at a health and social services centre.
(Calgary Centre, Alta.)
The File: Mr. Hehr has a host of veteran services to restore, as well as relationships. He’ll work closely with the Minister of Defence. During the election the Liberals promised to invest millions annually in education, counselling and training, as well as re-opening the nine Veterans Affairs service offices closed under the last government. Gen. Walter Natynczyk is the deputy minister for Veterans Affairs, and the department has a $3.5-billion budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; and Diversity and Inclusion.
Background: Mr. Hehr was a lawyer, an Alberta MLA for seven years, and he ran for mayor of Calgary, dropping out to endorse Naheed Nenshi. When he was in his early 20’s he was hit by a drive-by shooter, leaving him a quadriplegic.
(Ottawa Centre, Ont.)
The File: Ms. McKenna will have a high profile both in Cabinet and on the world stage as she is leading the Canadian delegation to the UN climate summit in Paris later this month. She will then have to schedule a meeting with the provinces and territories in short order to determine their climate change plan and establish national emission reduction targets. Her deputy minister is Michael Martin and the department, now called Environment and Climate Change Canada, has a $961-million budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Treasury Board; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Ms. McKenna beat out long-time NDP MP Paul Dewar after running a very strong campaign. Her background as an international trade lawyer included working in both the non-profit sector and as a teacher at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs.
(Vancouver South, B.C.)
The File: Mr. Sajjan’s will have to navigate Canada pulling out of the combat mission in Iraq and Syria, and reviewing existing defence polices while maintaining spending levels. His deputy minister is John Forster and the department has a nearly $19-billion budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Agenda and Results; Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada- United States Relations; and Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Mr. Sajjan was the first Canadian Sikh to command a military regiment. He is a retired lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, and served three tours in Afghanistan and one in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He then spent 11 years with the Vancouver Police Department, including most recently as a detective-constable. His family immigrated from India when he was five.
(Kildonan-St. Paul, Man.)
The File: Ms. Mihychuk’s deputy is Lori Sterling at the department of Employment and Social Development, which will giver her access to a share of ESDC’s $54-billion budget, according to the 2015-16 main estimates. Her responsibilities will include following through on the Liberal promise to repeal antiunion legislation, such as Bill C-377.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Mihychuk’s background is in the Canadian mining industry. She’s a geoscientist who also served in the Manitoba legislature for nine years.
(Edmonton Mill Woods, Alta.)
The File: Mr. Sohi’s largest focus will be on implementing the colossal Liberal promise of doubling federal infrastructure spending to $125-billion over 10 years. He is also responsible for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Sohi is a former Edmonton city councillor and represented the city on the Canadian Urban Transit Association. He is also active in the local Punjabi community.
(Peterborough-Kawartha, Ont.)
The File: Previously a junior minister role called Democratic Reform, Ms. Monsef’s full mandate has not been fleshed out, but she will be responsible for Elections Canada and for implementing Liberal promises to reform the electoral system.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Diversity and Inclusion; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Monsef is Canada’s first Afghan-born MP, after fleeing the Taliban in 1996. The community organizer then ran a close but unsuccessful mayoral race in Peterborough. She speaks English, Farsi and Dari, and at 30 is the youngest Cabinet minister.
(Delta, B.C.)
The File: According to the Privy Council Office, Ms. Qualtrough will assist the minister of Canadian Heritage, Ms. Joly, as well as Mr. Duclos and Ms. Mihychuk at Employment and Social Development Canada. Part of her role will include the creation of a Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-chair of Open and Transparent Government and a member of Diversity and Inclusion.
Background: Ms. Qualtrough is a human rights lawyer and past Paralympic swimmer. She was named one of Canada’s most influential women in sport six times.
(Nunavut)
The File: Mr. Tootoo will oversee the re-opening of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John’s, Nfld., and the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base in Vancouver, B.C. He’ll also steward the restoration of funding to federal ocean science and monitoring programs and bring the percentage of protected marine coastal areas up to five per cent by 2017. The Fisheries and Oceans deputy minister is Matthew King, and the department has a $1.9-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Tootoo is one of the three Liberal MPs that painted the North red, defeating former Conservative Cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq. He has held many Cabinet positions over 14 years in Nunavut’s legislative assembly. He ran federally for the NDP in 1997.
(Etobicoke North, Ont.)
The File: Mr. Tootoo will oversee the re-opening of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John’s, Nfld., and the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base in Vancouver, B.C. He’ll also steward the restoration of funding to federal ocean science and monitoring programs and bring the percentage of protected marine coastal areas up to five per cent by 2017. The Fisheries and Oceans deputy minister is Matthew King, and the department has a $1.9-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Tootoo is one of the three Liberal MPs that painted the North red, defeating former Conservative Cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq. He has held many Cabinet positions over 14 years in Nunavut’s legislative assembly. He ran federally for the NDP in 1997.
(Thunder Bay-Superior North, Ont.)
The File: According to the PCO, Ms. Hajdu will assist Ms. Joly, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, in her role. She’ll likely play a key role in rolling out the promised implementation of a federal gender violence strategy and action plan. The coordinator and head of the Status of Women agency is Meena Ballantyne. The agency’s budget was just under $30-million for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Diversity and Inclusion; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Hajdu has lived in her riding for 35 years, where she worked as the executive director of the Thunder Bay Shelter House.
(Waterloo, Ont.)
The File: According to the PCO, Ms. Chagger will assist Mr. Bains, the minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. One of her key priorities will be to implement the promised reduction of the small-business tax rate from 11 per cent to 9 per cent. She could also play a role in Canada 150 celebrations.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Diversity and Inclusion; and the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations.
Background: Ms. Chagger is a community organizer and has experience on the Hill as a former staffer for past area MP Andrew Telegdi.
The Liberal government made an order-in-council to terminate the assignments of the various minister of state roles. The previous government had ministers of state for Multiculturalism, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Social Development, and the regional development agencies. But the regional economic development agencies now fall under the purview of the minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, while Multiculturalism is the Heritage minister’s responsibility. Social Development goes to the minister for Families, Children and Social Development.
Five other Cabinet positions were changed “to be styled as” ministers, but are still acting in “assisting” roles rather than the full Cabinet roles of the other 25 ministers. It was not clear by deadline whether this change made in the order-in-council on the day of the swearing-in has changed the salary for these five ministers.
According to the CBC, citing “a senior government source speaking on background,” the government intends to make all five of them “full” ministers, but they are waiting on the Treasury Board to make changes to the statutes of Cabinet roles. It was not immediately clear whether this means the five will have heightened roles or responsibilities. According to the PCO, their roles are still to assist other ministries.
One of them, Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, Ont.), told The Hill Times she had no idea what it meant either. Following the Liberal caucus’ first meeting on Nov. 5, Ms. Duncan was asked if she knew whether her position was formally a minister or a minister of state, or if there was a pay difference.
“I’ve had [a] one-hour briefing, one hour,” she said. “I have a big briefing tomorrow, and I’ve got a binder, and that’s where we are.”
According to the House of Commons, Cabinet ministers earn $80,100 in addition to MP salaries of $167,400, while ministers of state earn an additional $60,000. All five of the ministers in this position are women: Ms. Duncan, minister of Science; Patricia Hajdu (Thunder Bay-Superior North, Ont.), minister of Status of Women; Carla Qualtrough (Delta, B.C.), minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities; Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, Ont.), minister of Small Business and Tourism; and Marie-Claude Bibeau (Compton-Stanstead, Que.) in her position as minister of Francophonie. Ms. Bibeau was also sworn in as the minister of International Development.
The sixth order-in-council terminated the assignments of the ministers of State. Neither the Liberal government nor the Privy Council Office had clarified what it all meant by deadline Friday.
Here’s a rundown of the new Cabinet and the role ministers will play in government:
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale
(Regina-Wascana, Sask.)The File: Mr. Goodale’s most high-profile responsibility will be reforming the anti-terrorism law, Bill C-51, introduced by the last government. He is also next in line to take over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s duties if needed. The Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness deputy minister is François Guimont, and the department has a $1.2-billion budget for 2015-16, according to the Main Estimates.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Canada in the World and Public Security; vice-chair of the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations. Member of Agenda and Results; Intelligence and Emergency Management; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Mr. Goodale was first elected as an MP in 1974, at the age of 24. He was then the Saskatchewan Liberal leader before coming back to the Hill in 1993. He’s held several high-profile Cabinet positions.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay
(Cardigan, P.E.I.)The File: Mr. MacAulay will have handle the agriculture industry’s reaction, depending on where the new government goes on the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership. His deputy minister is Andrea Lyon, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has a $2.3-billion annual budget for this year.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. MacAulay was a farmer and businessman before entering politics in 1988. His 2015 victory was his ninth in a row and he’s been Labour minister and minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion
(Saint-Laurent, Que.)The File: Mr. Dion will need some briefings from Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Daniel Jean as he’s expeted to join Mr. Trudeau at a G-20 meeting in Ankara, Turkey on Nov. 15, an Asia Pacifi c Economic Summit scheduled for Nov. 18-19, a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta Nov. 27-29, and the COP-21 Climate Conference in Paris beginning Nov. 30. The department’s name is now Global Affairs Canada, with a $5.5-billion budget that also covers International Trade and International Development.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Environment, Climate Change and Energy and a member of Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Mr. Dion was past leader of the Liberal Party and he has been an MP since 1996. He was Environment minister under Paul Martin. Prior to politics he was a professor.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallum
(Markham-Thornhill, Ont.)The File: Mr. McCallum will have one of the most scrutinized fi les, fulfilling a campaign promise that may not be possible: bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year. The department is now called Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and has a $1.5-billion budget. The deputy minister is Anita Biguzs.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Diversity and Inclusion and vice-chair of Treasury Board. Member of Canada in the World and Public Security, and the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations.
Background: Mr. McCallum was first elected in 2000. He has held a number of government and critic roles. Prior to entering politics he was chief economist of the Royal Bank of Canada.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett
(Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont.)The File: Ms. Bennett is charged with resetting the relationship to nation-tonation interaction and consultation, and steering the government into a national inquiry into the 1,200 missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada. This will involve reviewing all First Nations-related federal legislation, and removing the funding gap on education spending. The name of the department has also been changed, to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and the deputy minister is Colleen Swords. The department has a $8.2-billion budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Diversity and Inclusion; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Ms. Bennett was the Liberal Aboriginal Affairs critic in the last Parliament. She was fi rst elected in 1997 and was minister of state for Public Health in 2003. Prior to politics Ms. Bennett had a medical practice.
Treasury Board President Scott Brison
(Kings-Hants, N.S.)The File: Mr. Brison has been tasked with restoring a sense of respect between the government and the public service after years of cuts, and he inherits the ongoing collective bargaining with the unions. He’ll also have to work with the $6.9-billion budget. The secretary is Yaprak Baltacıoğlu.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Treasury Board. Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation, and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Mr. Brison was fi rst elected in 1997 as a Progressive Conservative but crossed the fl oor in 2003. He served as minister of Public Works under Paul Martin. Most recently, he was the Liberal Finance critic.
Government House Leader Dominic LeBlanc
(Beauséjour, N.B.)The File: Mr. LeBlanc will be the steward of government legislation and he’ll have to work alongside the other parties’ House leaders while developing communication with the Senate. The Liberals have also promised changes to some traditions in the House that will fall to him, such as ending the use of omnibus bills. He has a $443-million operating budget for the House.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Parliamentary Affairs. Member of Agenda and Results; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Intelligence and Emergency Management; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Mr. LeBlanc served as Liberal House leader in the last Parliament and has been a Parliamentarian since 2000. He has also served as Parliamentary secretary to the government House leader, and deputy chief government whip.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains
(Mississauga-Malton, Ont.)The File: Mr. Bains has a $1.2-billion budget from the department formerly called Industry Canada, now called Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. His deputy minister is John Knubley, and Mr. Bains will be assisted in his role by Kirsty Duncan, minister of Science, and Bardish Chagger, minister of Small Business and Tourism. He is also now responsible for six regional economic development agencies.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Agenda and Results; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Bains was a Liberal MP from 2004-2011. His background is in accounting and he has close ties to local charities and cultural groups in his riding.
Finance Minister William Francis Morneau
(Toronto Centre, Ont.)The File: The Liberal’s first piece of legislation will be implementing a middleclass tax cut. It’ll be Mr. Morneau’s responsibility to oversee that, which will result in raising taxes for wealthy Canadians. Then it’s federal budget time. His deputy minister is Paul Rochon, and the Finance Department has a $89.6-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Agenda and Results; Treasury Board; and Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation.
Background: Mr. Morneau is an experienced businessman, having led his family’s business Morneau Shepell since 1990. In 2012 he was a pension investment adviser for the Ontario finance minister and he also chaired the C.D. Howe Institute, a public policy think tank.
Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada Jody Wilson-Raybould
(Vancouver Granville, B.C.)The File: Ms. Raybould will step into a portfolio awaiting several major responses, and will have to work to repair relations with the Supreme Court of Canada. Atop her priority list will be navigating the future of assisted suicide in Canada. As well the Liberals promised to amend the Criminal Code to tighten rules around domestic violence. Her deputy minister is William Pentney, and the department has a $674-million budget.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-chair of Canada in the World and Public Security, and of Intelligence and Emergency Management. Member of Agenda and Results; Diversity and Inclusion; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Raybould has experience as a provincial Crown prosecutor and regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations.
Public Services and Procurement Minister Judy M. Foote
(Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, Nfld.)The File: Ms. Foote will lead in pulling Canada out of the F-35 fighter jet procurement and starting up a new process for replacing the outdated CF-18s, as well as taking on the shipbuilding fi le. Public Works and Government Services is now Public Services and Procurement Canada. The deputy minister is George Da Pont and the department has a budget of $2.9-billion for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Open and Transparent Government, and vice-chair of Parliamentary Affairs. Member of Agenda and Results, and of Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Ms. Foote was the caucus whip during the last Parliament and is a former provincial cabinet minister who was re-elected in Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, Nfld. with 81.8 per cent of the vote.
International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland
(University-Rosedale, Ont.)The File: Ms. Freeland’s deputy minister is Christine Hogan. Top of the list for the pair will be deciding on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that the last government signed, as well as working out details on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations, vice-chair of Environment, Climate Change and Energy. Member of Agenda and Results; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Canada in the World and Public Security.
Background: Ms. Freeland was elected to Parliament in 2013 and served as International Trade critic. She came to politics after a career in journalism, working in Europe, the U.S. and Canada at publications including Reuters, the Financial Times and The Globe and Mail.
Health Minister Jane Philpott
(Markham-Stouffville, Ont.)The File: For Health, the legalization of marijuana will generate a lot of media attention for the new minister. Ms. Philpott will be in charge of the $3-billion spending on improving home care, as well as working with the provinces and territories on a new Health Accord. Her deputy minister is Simon Kennedy and the department has a $3.7-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Chair of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation. Member of Treasury Board, and Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Ms. Philpott ousted Conservative Paul Calandra. Before entering politics this campaign, she was chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital, and professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
(Quebec, Que.)The File: Taking over the Employment and Social Development Canada department, Mr. Duclos will have a wide-ranging role, including the introduction of a new child benefit for families promised to lift 315,000 Canadian children out of poverty. The ESDC deputy minister is Ian Shugart and the department has a budget of $54-billion.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-Chair of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation. Member of Agenda and Results; Treasury Board; and Diversity and Inclusion.
Background: Mr. Duclos came into politics for the 2015 campaign. Previously he was the director of the economics department at Laval University.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau
(Notre Dame de Grace-Westmount, Que.)The File: Mr. Garneau will be the point-person on tanker, road, air and rail safety. His deputy minister is Jean-François Tremblay and Transportation has a $1.6-billion budget in 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Canada in the World and Public Security; and the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations.
Background: Mr. Garneau has been a Liberal MP since 2008, serving many critic roles. Prior to that he was the first Canadian astronaut in space in 1984, after starting his career in the Navy.
International Development and La Francophonie Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau
(Compton-Stanstead, Que.)The File: Ms. Bibeau’s first task will be to play a role in refugee resettlement, alongside deputy minister Malcolm Brown.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Diversity and Inclusion; and Canada in the World and Public Security.
Background: Ms. Bibeau worked as a public servant for the Canadian International Development Agency, both domestically and abroad. She then went on to run a local tourism business.
Natural Resources Minister James Gordon Carr
(Winnipeg South Centre, Man.)The File: Mr. Carr will play an interesting role, having to balance environmental responsibility and indigenous land claims with energy projects such as pipelines. The deputy minister of Natural Resources is Bob Hamilton and the department has a budget of $2.2-billion for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Carr founded the Business Council of Manitoba and also sat in the Manitoba legislature. He also has experience as a journalist and musician.
Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly
(Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Que.)The File: Ms. Joly’s new role will involve stickhandling the broadcast industry, including the CBC/Radio-Canada, as well as taking on the Multiculturalism fi le and the National Capital Commission in preparation for 150th anniversary celebrations in 2017. Graham Flack is the deputy minister, and Patricia A. Hajdu, minister of Status of Women, and Carla Qualtrough, minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, will also provide support.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-chair of Diversity and Inclusion. Member of Agenda and Results; Parliamentary Affairs; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Joly ran for mayor of Montreal in 2013, and she was part of Mr. Trudeau’s bid for the Liberal leadership. Prior to politics she worked as a communications consultant and lawyer. She also once interned at Radio-Canada, the broadcaster for which she’s now responsible.
National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier
(Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Que.)The File: As head of the Canada Revenue Agency, Ms. Lebouthillier be responsible for implementing Liberal tax code changes, as well as acting on the promise to “overhaul” the agency’s service model. She will oversee the $80-million for catching tax evaders, and eventually work on legislative changes around charitable donations and what defines “political activity.” The agency’s CEO is Andrew Treusch and its 2015-16 budget is $3.8-billion.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Lebouthillier has a background in local politics, and prior to that she worked for 23 years at a health and social services centre.
Veterans Affairs Minister and Associate Minister National Defence Kent Hehr
(Calgary Centre, Alta.)The File: Mr. Hehr has a host of veteran services to restore, as well as relationships. He’ll work closely with the Minister of Defence. During the election the Liberals promised to invest millions annually in education, counselling and training, as well as re-opening the nine Veterans Affairs service offices closed under the last government. Gen. Walter Natynczyk is the deputy minister for Veterans Affairs, and the department has a $3.5-billion budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; and Diversity and Inclusion.
Background: Mr. Hehr was a lawyer, an Alberta MLA for seven years, and he ran for mayor of Calgary, dropping out to endorse Naheed Nenshi. When he was in his early 20’s he was hit by a drive-by shooter, leaving him a quadriplegic.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna
(Ottawa Centre, Ont.)The File: Ms. McKenna will have a high profile both in Cabinet and on the world stage as she is leading the Canadian delegation to the UN climate summit in Paris later this month. She will then have to schedule a meeting with the provinces and territories in short order to determine their climate change plan and establish national emission reduction targets. Her deputy minister is Michael Martin and the department, now called Environment and Climate Change Canada, has a $961-million budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Treasury Board; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Ms. McKenna beat out long-time NDP MP Paul Dewar after running a very strong campaign. Her background as an international trade lawyer included working in both the non-profit sector and as a teacher at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs.
National Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan
(Vancouver South, B.C.)The File: Mr. Sajjan’s will have to navigate Canada pulling out of the combat mission in Iraq and Syria, and reviewing existing defence polices while maintaining spending levels. His deputy minister is John Forster and the department has a nearly $19-billion budget for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Agenda and Results; Canada in the World and Public Security; subcommittee on Canada- United States Relations; and Intelligence and Emergency Management.
Background: Mr. Sajjan was the first Canadian Sikh to command a military regiment. He is a retired lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, and served three tours in Afghanistan and one in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He then spent 11 years with the Vancouver Police Department, including most recently as a detective-constable. His family immigrated from India when he was five.
Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk
(Kildonan-St. Paul, Man.)The File: Ms. Mihychuk’s deputy is Lori Sterling at the department of Employment and Social Development, which will giver her access to a share of ESDC’s $54-billion budget, according to the 2015-16 main estimates. Her responsibilities will include following through on the Liberal promise to repeal antiunion legislation, such as Bill C-377.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Mihychuk’s background is in the Canadian mining industry. She’s a geoscientist who also served in the Manitoba legislature for nine years.
Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi
(Edmonton Mill Woods, Alta.)The File: Mr. Sohi’s largest focus will be on implementing the colossal Liberal promise of doubling federal infrastructure spending to $125-billion over 10 years. He is also responsible for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Sohi is a former Edmonton city councillor and represented the city on the Canadian Urban Transit Association. He is also active in the local Punjabi community.
Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef
(Peterborough-Kawartha, Ont.)The File: Previously a junior minister role called Democratic Reform, Ms. Monsef’s full mandate has not been fleshed out, but she will be responsible for Elections Canada and for implementing Liberal promises to reform the electoral system.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; Diversity and Inclusion; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Monsef is Canada’s first Afghan-born MP, after fleeing the Taliban in 1996. The community organizer then ran a close but unsuccessful mayoral race in Peterborough. She speaks English, Farsi and Dari, and at 30 is the youngest Cabinet minister.
Sport and Persons with Disabilities Minister Carla Qualtrough
(Delta, B.C.)The File: According to the Privy Council Office, Ms. Qualtrough will assist the minister of Canadian Heritage, Ms. Joly, as well as Mr. Duclos and Ms. Mihychuk at Employment and Social Development Canada. Part of her role will include the creation of a Canadians with Disabilities Act.
Cabinet Committees: Vice-chair of Open and Transparent Government and a member of Diversity and Inclusion.
Background: Ms. Qualtrough is a human rights lawyer and past Paralympic swimmer. She was named one of Canada’s most influential women in sport six times.
Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Minister Hunter Tootoo
(Nunavut)The File: Mr. Tootoo will oversee the re-opening of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John’s, Nfld., and the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base in Vancouver, B.C. He’ll also steward the restoration of funding to federal ocean science and monitoring programs and bring the percentage of protected marine coastal areas up to five per cent by 2017. The Fisheries and Oceans deputy minister is Matthew King, and the department has a $1.9-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Tootoo is one of the three Liberal MPs that painted the North red, defeating former Conservative Cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq. He has held many Cabinet positions over 14 years in Nunavut’s legislative assembly. He ran federally for the NDP in 1997.
Science Minister Kirsty Duncan
(Etobicoke North, Ont.)The File: Mr. Tootoo will oversee the re-opening of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John’s, Nfld., and the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base in Vancouver, B.C. He’ll also steward the restoration of funding to federal ocean science and monitoring programs and bring the percentage of protected marine coastal areas up to five per cent by 2017. The Fisheries and Oceans deputy minister is Matthew King, and the department has a $1.9-billion budget.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Parliamentary Affairs; and Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
Background: Mr. Tootoo is one of the three Liberal MPs that painted the North red, defeating former Conservative Cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq. He has held many Cabinet positions over 14 years in Nunavut’s legislative assembly. He ran federally for the NDP in 1997.
Status of Women Minister Patricia A. Hajdu
(Thunder Bay-Superior North, Ont.)The File: According to the PCO, Ms. Hajdu will assist Ms. Joly, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, in her role. She’ll likely play a key role in rolling out the promised implementation of a federal gender violence strategy and action plan. The coordinator and head of the Status of Women agency is Meena Ballantyne. The agency’s budget was just under $30-million for 2015-16.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Diversity and Inclusion; and Open and Transparent Government.
Background: Ms. Hajdu has lived in her riding for 35 years, where she worked as the executive director of the Thunder Bay Shelter House.
Small Business and Tourism Minister Bardish Chagger
(Waterloo, Ont.)The File: According to the PCO, Ms. Chagger will assist Mr. Bains, the minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. One of her key priorities will be to implement the promised reduction of the small-business tax rate from 11 per cent to 9 per cent. She could also play a role in Canada 150 celebrations.
Cabinet Committees: Member of Inclusive Growth, Opportunities and Innovation; Diversity and Inclusion; and the subcommittee on Canada-United States Relations.
Background: Ms. Chagger is a community organizer and has experience on the Hill as a former staffer for past area MP Andrew Telegdi.
