Monsef, MacAulay, Bibeau take on new jobs in cabinet shuffle

Three federalministers have new job titles Friday morningas part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's efforts to shuffle his cabinet to fill the vacancy created by Jody Wilson-Raybould'sresignationover the SNC-Lavalin controversy.

P.E.I. MP Lawrence MacAulay, formerly minister of agriculture and agri-food,will take over inVeterans Affairs, while Marie-Claude Bibeau,who until recently wasminister of international development, will take over the agriculture file.

The ComptonStansteadMP will be the first female agriculture minister in Canadian history.

"It's a huge privilege.I come from a rural riding, a dairy riding, in fact, in the south of Quebec, so I'm very close to the producers in Quebec," she told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony atRideauHall in Ottawa.

Minister for Women and Gender EqualityMaryamMonsefwill take on international development as part of herduties.

Wilson-Raybouldresigned as minister of Veterans Affairs, a position she was moved to after first entering cabinet as justice minister,onFeb. 12.

Ministers questioned onWilson-Raybould

Despite not physically being atRideauHall,Wilson-Raybouldcast a shadow over the proceedings.

Theformer justice minister told a parliamentary committee earlier this week she believes she was shuffled out of that department because she refused to bend to pressure from 11 officials including from the Prime Minister's Office who wanted her to giveSNC-Lavalina way out of bribery and corruption charges.

Three shuffled ministers on caucus and cabinet unity

6 years ago

Duration 1:08

Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay and Minister of International Development, Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef comment on caucus and cabinet unity.

She had held the Veterans Affairs post for a month, moved there Jan. 14 after ScottBrison, former president of the Treasury Board, retired from federal politics. Defence MinisterHarjitSajjanhad been acting minister of Veterans Affairs sinceWilson-Raybould'sresignation.

While no longer a member of cabinet, she remains a Liberal MP at least for now.Trudeauhas said he is considering whetherWilson-Raybouldcan remain in the Liberal caucus.

"I have taken knowledge of her testimony and there are still reflections to have on next steps," he told reporters on Thursday.

Bibeau on protecting jobs

6 years ago

Duration 0:40

Newly-minted Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau comments on the role of government in protecting jobs.

MacAulay,BibeauandMonsefall said they would supportTrudeau'sdecision on whether their former cabinet colleague can stay in caucus.

"I can live with any decision," saidMacAulay.

The Quebec-based engineering and infrastructure company was seeking a deferred prosecution agreement, or DPA, that would allow the firm to avoid criminal prosecution, providing it met a number of conditions. Under the DPA, ifthose conditions aren't met, criminal prosecution could be pursued.

Trudeauhas maintained she would still be justice minister ifBrisonhad not stepped down.

MacAulay becomes the fourth official Veterans Affairs ministersince the Liberal government came into power in 2015.

Kent Hehr held the role for just under two years before Seamus O'Regan took the reins. He was sentto Indigenous Services in the January cabinet shuffle.

"To represent veterans is a distinct honour," said MacAulay, who served as secretary of state for veterans back in the late 1990s.

Unlike most federal departments, the official headquarters for the Department of Veterans Affairs is outside the capital region,in Charlottetown.

Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay on serving veterans

6 years ago

Duration 0:48

Newly-minted Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAualy describes why it is an honour to serve Canada's veterans.