Trudeau’s cabinet makeover largely a reaction to U.S. political ripples: expert
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NDP MPs raise concerns over whether rookie MPs on major files like Democratic Institutions and International Trade will be able to make any real policy progress.
PHOTO: Chrystia Freeland, formerly the minister of International Trade, will now be Canada's minister of Foreign Affairs, while retaining control of Canada-U.S. trade relations. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
By TIM NAUMETZ PUBLISHED : Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 1:03 PM
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shook up key positions in his cabinet on Tuesday as he prepared for the new realities of a Donald Trump presidency by naming former International Trade minister Chrystia Freeland as Canada’s new Foreign Affairs minister, while, in an unconventional move, also announcing that the climbing cabinet star would remain in charge of trade relations with the United States.
In the shuffle, he also appointed two rookie MPs to key cabinet positions—Democratic Institutions and International Trade—causing NDP MPs to question whether the new faces will be able to make any real policy progress.
Mr. Trudeau sidestepped a suggestion on Tuesday that he has allowed president-elect Donald Trump to at least influence, if not dictate, his management of his government.
“The fact is, we are always going to be expected by Canadians to adjust and to put our best team forward in dealing with the important issues that matter to Canadians, whether it be the relationship with the United States, whether it be the relationship with China, whether it be how we engage with Europe through some essential times as we look towards ratification of CETA,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters. “There are a broad range of ways and opportunities to serve this government in a large team and that’s exactly what we are putting forward.”
When asked why it was so important to have Ms. Freeland retain control of Canada-U.S. trade relations as Foreign Affairs minister, Mr. Trudeau said, “One of the things that we’ve seen from president-elect Trump is that he very much takes a trade and job lens to his engagements with the world in international diplomacy. And it makes sense for the person who is responsible for foreign relations with the United States to also have the ability and the responsibility to engage with issues such as NAFTA and the broad range of trade issues that we’ll be facing with our friends and neighbours south of the border.”
Tuesday’s shuffle saw the departure of Mr. Dion from cabinet, as well as John McCallum, who was minister of Immigration but has now been recommended by Mr. Trudeau as Canada’s new ambassador to China.
Reportedly, Mr. Dion was offered ambassadorship in both France and Germany, but is said to be still considering his options.
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