Cabinet Reshuffle To See Seven Ministers Replaced-CBC

Canadian public broadcaster CBC reports that seven ministers are set to be replaced in today's cabinet reshuffle, set to be announced at 1030ET (1530BST, 1630CET). The sizeable reshuffle is seen to be the last major ministerial change by PM Justin Trudeau before the next general election, which must be held by Oct 2025 at the latest but is viewed by many observers as likely to take place sooner. Senior ministers such as Fin Min/Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland and Foreign Min Melanie Joly are expected to remain in office.

• CBC: "Senior government sources say at least seven ministers are leaving the front benches. Four of those are MPs who have announced they will not be running in the next federal election: Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett [...] and Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray[...]. Sources with knowledge of the shuffle who were not authorized to speak publicly about it said the other three are Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Justice Minister David Lametti and President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier."
• CBC also reports that Defence Minister Anita Aanand will be moved to an economic portfolio under Finance Minister and Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland, leaving the position open. Canada has come in for some criticism from NATO allies for its well-below-target spending on defence (equating to 1.22% of GDP, one of the lowest levels in the alliance).