Cabinet shuffle: Carr replaced by Sohi at Natural Resources, LeBlanc adds Northern Affairs to new portfolio

On July 18, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled the Federal Cabinet. From the perspective of the propane industry, of interest is the reassignment of former natural resources minister, Jim Carr. Minister Carr has been given a new post as the minister of international trade diversification, formally known as international trade.

 

Minister Carr, who had been natural resources minister since the Trudeau government was elected in 2015, has been replaced by Amarjeet Sohi. Minister Sohi is from Edmonton and was previously minister of infrastructure and communities.

 

Also of interest to CPA members is the appointment of Dominic LeBlanc as minister of intergovernmental affairs and northern affairs and internal trade. The Northern affairs component of Mr. LeBlanc’s new ministry was previously the responsibility of Carolyn Bennett who retains her role as minister of crown-indigenous relations.

 

Given the summer timing of the shuffle and the fact that several ministers are currently on cross-Canada or international trips, the new cabinet will not meet immediately.  It’s expected that the first full meeting of cabinet will be in Saskatoon in late August. By that time, mandate letters for the new ministers will be published.

 

The CPA staff will be planning for meetings with the offices of Minister LeBlanc and Minister Sohi in August/September. To view the complete list of the new cabinet, click here.