Monday December 16, 2024 | NATIONAL NEWS [Posted at 2:15 pm Pacific]
Political news analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
In a sudden shift at the top of cabinet today, Dominic LeBlanc has been sworn in as Mnister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs.
This comes in the wake of the resignation of Chrystia Freeland from the role of Finance Minister, just hours earlier today. The Fall Economic Statement was to be delivered by Freeland later in the day (that presentation of the Fall Economic Statement was later tabled by Liberal House Leader Karina Gould).
Attendance at the swearing-in at 4:30 pm Eastern (1:30 pm Pacific) was bare minimal — just Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as only required official staff. Media attended.
The next federal election is presently scheduled for October 20, 2025 but was always in the realm of happening sooner given political pressures from many sides (including the Conservative opposition anti-Trudeau campaign of the last year and the summer 2024 attempt by some Liberal MPs to cause a cave-in within the Liberal caucus against Trudeau).
LeBlanc also still carries the portfolio of Public Safety Minister, but reportedly that portfolio will be shifted to someone else in a cabinet shuffle this week.
Leblanc previously also carried the Intergovernmental Affairs portfolio.
LeBlanc went on the trip with Trudeau to have dinner with Trump on November 29 in Florida; Freeland was not along on that trip.
He chairs the government’s Canada-US committee.
Media questions:
Cost of living is a very signfifcant issue for many Canadians — that will be an area of focus for LeBlanc as Finance Minister, Leblanc told media today.
Leblanc said he will “pour his heart and soul into” for as long as he has the job of Finance Minister.
Management of public finances needs to be effective and what produces results for Canadians, he said.
LeBlanc says he likes the direction the Premiers are taking in preparing for tariffs that may yet come from the United States after Trump is sworn in on January 20, 2025.
Its’s an exciting time to have those responsibilities. I don’t diminish the work that’s before our government. “I’m confident Canadians will see a government focuses on their priorities,” said LeBlanc today. Cost of living and Canada’s relationship with the US are two things that LeBlanc feels Canadians care about most.
Freeland has accomplished many things in her various roles in cabinet, said LeBlanc. He said that Freeland has “a proud record of delivering for Canadians”.
===== RELATED:
- Finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigns from federal cabinet (December 16, 2024)
- Canada’s premiers see action: Trudeau & Trump share national interests over dinner (December 1, 2024)
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