FRESH FACES INSIGHT Bill Blair (Scarborough Southwest, ON) Prime Minister Trudeau Minister Responsible for Border Security and Organized Shuffles his Cabinet Crime Reduction Measure of Success: One of On Wednesday, July 18, 2018 Prime Minister Justin Blair’s first challenges will be Trudeau announced significant changes to his cabinet that putting an end to the thriving are clearly focused on shoring up political representation in cannabis black market, given his responsibilities overseeing key priority regions in the GTA, BC and Quebec in advance both cannabis legalization and organized crime reduction. of the federal election in 2019. He will also be a key communicator on security issues, including irregular migration, border integrity and guns and While the cabinet shuffle provided Trudeau with an gang violence. opportunity to put fresh faces on challenging files, he has also used this to reinforce his confidence in the Rationale: A strong performer with a background in law government’s top performers, like Morneau and Freeland, enforcement, Blair’s appointment sends a message to our and indicate stability on key areas of concern, including neighbours down south that Canada is serious about the Canada – US relations, the environment and the economy. issue of illegal border crossing. His experience as the former chief of police for Canada’s largest city also makes The shuffle allows the government to hit reset on several him an obvious choice for leading the government’s efforts challenging files and assigns new or increased resources to to reduce gun violence. resolve burning issues, such as the Trans Mountain Pipeline and border security, in advance of the 2019 election. Despite changes to 11 portfolios, the Prime Mary Ng Minister maintained a gender-balanced cabinet and (Markham-Thornhill, ON) regional representation, with added emphasis on important electoral districts. Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion The larger cabinet reflects new political challenges that have arisen across the country and is better aligned to deal Measure of Success: With the with the changing realities of certain portfolios. The cabinet government still experiencing also better reflects the new priorities of the Liberal fallout from the tax changes government, including more resources for seniors with a proposed last year, Ng’s ability to dedicated minister, a standalone portfolio for implementing repair and rebuild this important stakeholder relationship will cannabis legalization, and increased attention on be her first and most important test as the new Minister. intergovernmental affairs. Rationale: As a former director in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ng continues to be a trusted advisor to Team Trudeau’s inner circle. Her political acumen coupled with her relationships with Canada’s Chinese community make her a strong addition to cabinet. The government remains focused on pursuing a trade agreement with China and helping Canadian businesses access global markets. H + K INSIGHTS | S u m m e r 2 0 1 8 Cabinet Shuffle Rationale: Formerly a high-performing Parliamentary Pablo Rodriguez Secretary for Environment, Wilkinson represents a key (Honoré – Mercier, QC) Vancouver riding and has a background in clean Minister of Heritage and technology. Elevating Wilkinson swings the fisheries file Multiculturalism from an Atlantic to Pacific minister and seeks to address concerns in the lower mainland over Trans Mountain Measure of Success: With the coastal protections. government still experiencing fallout in Quebec from its cultural policy and Mélanie Joly’s underperformance, the new ON THE MOVE minister will be responsible for diffusing the Netflix tax issue Jim Carr and handling the government’s regulatory overhaul of the (Winnipeg South Centre, MB) Broadcasting and Copyright Acts. Minister of International Trade Rationale: A long time Team Trudeau supporter, Diversification experienced politician and key organizer for the Liberals in Quebec, this is a well-deserved promotion for the Montreal Measure of Success: MP and Chief Government Whip. He was passed over twice Broadening trade opportunities for cabinet positions despite being viewed as a high- beyond the United States is performer. critical given the current uncertainty with Canada’s largest trading partner. Industry is seeking increased support for promoting Canadian Filomena Tassi exports, and there is an expectation to significantly advance (Hamilton West-Ancaster- discussions with China, India and Brazil. Dundas, ON) Rationale: Carr is well-positioned to reassure foreign Minister of Seniors investors and instil confidence in Canadian industry. He has spent extensive time working in the United States and has Measure of Success: In reaction to pressure from grassroots existing relationships he can build upon in this new role. A Liberals and caucus to create a rookie MP, but experienced politician, Carr is seen as a competent and confident minister, capable of handling a standalone minister responsible for seniors, Tassi will be focused on strengthening critical file. relationships with this key electoral constituency. Rationale: An Italian Canadian, Tassi represents a Hamilton-area riding in a traditionally NDP region. There is François-Philippe also increased concern that the NDP’s success in the Champagne provincial election will give their federal counterparts a (Saint-Maurice – Champlain, boost in popularity. Tassi is a lawyer and a long time Liberal QC) organizer who has strong roots within the party. Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Measure of Success: After a Jonathan Wilkinson delayed start to spending, the minister will have to (North Vancouver, BC) demonstrate marked progress on the $180 billion Minister of Fisheries Oceans infrastructure plan, with shovels in the ground across the and Canadian Coast Guard country before the election. A key platform commitment, the minister will be under pressure to land marquee projects to Measure of Success: The position the Canada Infrastructure Bank as a success. government aims to continue its rollout of the Oceans Protection Rationale: Electoral success in Quebec is critical to Plan and to build public support for coastal protection Trudeau maintaining a majority government in 2019. The measures around the Trans Mountain pipeline project. minister represents a politically difficult rural region of the Increased Indigenous employment in the Coast Guard and province. As infrastructure minister, Champagne will have enhanced commercial fisheries will also be a focus on the an opportunity to travel the province extensively, bolstering file. the federal government’s profile in key regions. H + K INSIGHTS | S u m m e r 2 0 1 8 Cabinet Shuffle Mélanie Joly Carla Qualtrough (Ahuntsic – Cartierville, QC) (Delta, BC) Minister of Tourism, Official Minister of Public Services and Languages and La Procurement and Accessibility Francophonie Measure of Success: In addition Measure of Success: Joly is to continuing to wrestle with the tasked with increasing the Phoenix pay system and moving economic benefits of tourism in the needle on defence Canada and promoting Canada’s image abroad. She will procurement, Qualtrough will have the restored also be responsible for Canada’s relationship with the responsibility of ensuring that the recently tabled Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and for the accessibility legislation passes before the House rises for government’s review of the Official Languages Act. the election. Rationale: A first-time MP from Montreal and close friend Rationale: As a minister who has time and again to Justin Trudeau, Joly was heavily criticized for her demonstrated her ability to stickhandle difficult policy files, performance as Heritage Minister. She faced challenges it is no surprise that Trudeau has added accessibility to over her government’s cultural policy in dealing with web Qualtrough’s list of responsibilities. Being a former giants like Netflix. The shuffle represents an opportunity for Paralympic athlete will also give her credibility with the Oxford University graduate to remain an asset to Team stakeholders Trudeau in Quebec. Amarjeet Sohi Dominic LeBlanc (Edmonton Mill Woods, AB) (Beauséjour, NB) Minister of Natural Resources Minister of Intergovernmental Measure of Success: The Trans and Northern Affairs and Mountain pipeline project will be Internal Trade the top priority for this minister Measure of Success: A position moving forward. This means previously held by the Prime advancing construction, Minister, the federal relationship with provinces has become managing significant political opposition and selling the an increasingly thorny issue in Ottawa. A PC majority project to investors. The minister will also have to provide government in Ontario is challenging a range of federal assurances to industry as the government institutes its new priorities, adding to strained relationships with BC, environmental assessment processes. Saskatchewan and Manitoba. New governments in Quebec Rationale: Having an Albertan lead this file sends a clear and Alberta could also be looming. Managing these message in support of the pipeline and Premier Notley, relationships while advancing federal policy initiatives will while also creating a pathway to maintaining Liberal seats be the central challenge for the new minister. The minister in Alberta. There has been industry frustration over the lack will be under pressure to reach an internal trade agreement of a champion for Canadian oil and gas.