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The House

Midweek podcast: Justin Trudeau shuffles his cabinet

On The House midweek podcast, the CBC's Vassy Kapelos and Chris Hall break down the new moves within the federal cabinet with guest host David Cochrane. We also ask New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant, who's hosting this week's meeting of the country's premiers, for his thoughts on the changes.
CBC Radio ·
Melanie Joly (centre) shakes hands with Governor General Julie Payette after being sworn in as Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on, during a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant says Wednesday's cabinet shuffle is a nod from the federal government to some of the big issues staring them down ahead of next year's election.

There were a few signals that caught his attention as he presides over the premiers' annual meeting held in his province this week.

Gallant told The House the changes to cabinet reflect the experience and expertise from different regions of the country.

The swap also seems to indicate the federal government is reinforcing their team to address problematic files like international trade and relations with provinces.

Those two topics have been huge issues as U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized Canadian leadership and slapped tariffs on steel and aluminium. Almost simultaneously, Alberta and British Columbia were at war over the controversial expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Gallant expects the pipeline conversation to resurface at this week's meeting, among other simmering issues between the provinces.

Handling those relationships will now fall to Dominic LeBlanc, the new minister of intergovernmental affairs.

"I think it's an acknowledgement that Dominic will be able to take on whatever type of tone that he needs to to get things done," Gallant said of LeBlanc, who holds a seat in New Brunswick.

LeBlanc was previously the minister for fisheries, a file that has now moved to the opposite coast. Gallant said it's not a bad thing to have the new minister in B.C., but he's looking to make sure the new minister understands Atlantic Canada's challenges.

He also pointed out that the cabinet shuffle focused on diversifying Canadian markets to reduce dependency on the U.S.

The prime minister pointed out the same thing.

"There is certainly a level of clarity for Canadians, for businesses, for everyone across this country that we need to diversify our markets. We need to ensure that we are not as dependent on the United States," Trudeau said.

Jim Carr, who has handled the natural resources file, was shifted to cover international trade.

The prime minister made other significant changes to his cabinet, appointing five new ministers and creating three new portfolios.

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