Trudeau shuffles cabinet amid rising pressure

In Ottawa, more than half a dozen MPs left the backbenches and accepted their promotions to Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet today, in hopes of rejuvenating a party that may be on borrowed time. Sworn in at Rideau Hall, eight new members were appointed ministers, and four others were given new roles.

This list includes first-timer Nathaniel Erskine-Smith as Housing Minister, Steven MacKinnon, who will handle Labour, and David McGuinty, who will take over Public Safety.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance, following a tumultuous week regarding his future, Chrystia Freeland’s departure, and a growing list of caucus members calling for him to step down.

Trudeau told MPs that he intends to reflect on his future over the holidays, but time may be running out after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced he’s had a change of heart regarding his party’s confidence in the Liberals.

Today, the New Democrat leader issued a letter stating that no matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government’s time is up. He added that they will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons.

Opposition and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre continued to add pressure after the Bloc Québécois also stated they are ready for Canadians to head to the polls in the new year. Poilievre sought to up the ante on Singh.

Trudeau has several options to delay a vote, including proroguing Parliament to buy his party more time for a leadership race or reset the agenda.

The Liberal reboot now has to look ahead as they face tariff threats and provocative social media posts from President-elect Donald Trump, who demanded action on border security. Yesterday, Canada announced it’s ready to spend $1.3 billion on surveillance.

In the event of a tariff war, Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued threats to cut off Ontario’s energy exports to the U.S.