Omar Alghabra has joined a growing list of federal cabinet ministers who say they will not seek re-election next time Canadians head to the polls, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expected to rejig his front bench as early as tomorrow.
Senior government sources confirm to CTV News the prime minister is making preparations to shuffle his cabinet.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek, and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett have all announced they will not seek re-election.
Alghabra, who was first elected in 2006, wrote in a message on Twitter Tuesday that being an MP has been “the journey of a lifetime,” and he is “grateful for every minute of it.”
He also wrote that he will be “stepping aside from cabinet.”
It is expected that ministers have communicated to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) their intentions to run again should an election be called. It’s likely that those who have signalled plans not to re-offer will be shuffled out, opening up spots that could allow Trudeau to elevate high-performing members of his backbenches to cabinet before the next campaign, currently scheduled for 2025.
This impending and potentially sizeable shuffle is being framed as an attempt by the minority Liberals to reset their messaging on a few hot files after fall and spring sittings that saw intense political scrutiny over the government’s handling of issues such as housing affordability, public safety, and policies involving online platforms.
Longtime Liberal MP Bennett announced Monday she will not run for re-election, opening up a downtown Toronto riding for the next campaign.
And on Wednesday, Jaczek also announced she will not run again, tweeting that it has been “an immense honour and a privilege to represent (the) community at both the provincial and federal levels, as well as serving in cabinet at both levels.”
“I will continue to represent and serve the people of Markham-Stouffville until the next election and look forward to being able to dedicate more time here on the ground as an active member of our vibrant community,” Jaczek wrote, adding she will continue to serve as MP until the next election.
Source : CTV
