Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be making adjustments to his cabinet today, CTV News has confirmed. The small shuffle is the result of longtime cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez quitting.
Earlier today, Rodriguez announced he was stepping down as transport minister and Quebec lieutenant, to run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ).
CTV News has learned Treasury Board President Anita Anand will assume Rodriguez’ ministerial responsibilities, while Minister of Procurement Jean Yves Duclos will take over as the Liberals’ Quebec lieutenant in a minor cabinet ‘adjustment’ later today.
CTV News has also learned there are plans underway for a bigger shuffle in the next few months.
Rodriguez has decided to keep his Honoré-Mercier, Que. seat in the House, but will sit as an Independent MP.
First elected as an MP in 2004, Rodriguez was defeated by the NDP’s Paulina Ayala during the Orange Wave.
Rodriguez then won his seat back in 2015, and has since served in a series of cabinet roles, including as government leader in the House of Commons, and heritage minister.
More details to come
With files from CTV News’ Vassy Kapelos, Brennan MacDonald, Spencer Van Dyk, and Mike Le Couteur