Filomena Tassi, Helena Jaczek swap federal cabinet roles

Two cabinet ministers from Ontario swapped roles in a minor shuffle at Rideau Hall Wednesday morning.

Filomena Tassi moved from the public services and procurement file to become the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, while Helena Jaczek took on the procurement portfolio.

The adjustment comes after Tassi asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a lighter workload because of a family health matter.

In a statement released shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, Tassi said her husband suffered two strokes earlier this year.

Tassi has represented the riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas since 2015 and was first appointed to Trudeau’s cabinet in 2018 as the minister for seniors. She then became the minister of labour in 2019 and was promoted to the procurement file after the 2021 election.

Jaczek was first elected in the riding of Markham-Stouffville in 2019. She was then appointed to cabinet in 2021.