Major changes to cabinet expected today

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is getting ready to shuffle his cabinet today as he readies the team that will likely lead the Liberals into the next election.

A swearing-in ceremony will take place at Rideau Hall this morning for what is expected to be the most significant change since 2021.

Jeni Armstrong, a political instructor at Carleton University, says the shakeup will likely focus on critical issues including housing and the rising cost of living.

She says Trudeau will be looking for good communicators who can resonate with Canadians on those files.

Four ministers have announced they won't be seeking re-election, including Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, who is stepping down from cabinet.

The others are Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray, Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett.

Murray's announcement is a reversal from last month, when she told reporters that she would be the Liberal candidate for Vancouver Quadra in the next federal election.

The departures leave at least three cabinet positions open from the Greater Toronto Area, along with one from British Columbia.

Trudeau spent Monday and Tuesday in private meetings in the capital, while several other ministers cancelled appearances at public events, typical signs of an impending shakeup.

A source with knowledge of the shuffle said all ministers who can make it to Ottawa will be at Rideau Hall, including those who are not getting new roles.

The source, who could not speak publicly about the expected events, said the new slate of ministers would gather for a cabinet meeting after the announcement.

The government is currently made up of 38 cabinet ministers and the prime minister.

It's already one-third bigger than it was in 2015, which doesn't leave a lot of room to add more people, Armstrong said.

The cabinet will also likely be gender-balanced, a trend Trudeau has kept up since the Liberals were first elected in 2015.

Many observers are expecting a significant change from the Liberal government, which is nearly eight years into its mandate and looking to renew its vision heading into the next election.

Both the Conservatives and New Democrats say a shuffle isn't enough to erase the government's track record, especially on housing and affordability.

Conservative Liberal Pierre Poilievre has said Trudeau should be shuffled out instead.

The next federal election must take place by October 2025, but it could be called well before then.

The minority government is currently being propped up by the New Democrats through a confidence-and-supply agreement. The NDP agreed to support the minority Liberals on key House of Commons votes through 2025 in exchange for movement on shared priorities.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Tuesday the cabinet shuffle will not have an impact on the deal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2023.

— With files from Stephanie Taylor