Winter Cabinet Shuffle Being Mulled By Trudeau | HuffPost

This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

The prime minister may dump weaker performers, such as Maryam Monsef, from his inner circle.

By

Ottawa Bureau Chief, HuffPost Canada;

|

OTTAWA — Liberal cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries and MPs might like to ask Santa if they can keep their portfolios or get a promotion. The Huffington Post Canada has learned a winter shuffle is being contemplated.

Last December, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed his 35 parliamentary secretaries — 23 men and 12 women — the MPs were told their portfolios had a one-year mandate.

Their positions have been extended a few weeks as the prime minister looks to rejig his cabinet, a senior source said. Trudeau may:

Elevate strong performers, such as Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s parliamentary secretary, François-Philippe Champagne

Reward hard workers, such as International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland

Or dump weaker performers from the inner circle, such as Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef.

“[The parliamentary secretaries] are extended until the House returns in January while we evaluate their partnerships with them,” Kate Purchase, Trudeau’s director of communications, told HuffPost in an email.

Late Friday evening, after this story was published, Purchase sent an email saying "nothing on the horizon" was planned regarding a cabinet shuffle.

Rotating parliamentary secretaries may help Trudeau with the management of an ambitious and talented caucus. There are currently 182 Liberal MPs, many of whom are men or women from traditional areas of strength for the party who may not have the gender, demographic, ethnic or religious criteria that increase their chance of landing a cabinet post.

Parliamentary secretaries earn $16,800 on top of their $170,400 base salary as MPs. While most are expected to answer questions when their ministers are not in the House of Commons, some have been given additional responsibilities.

Former Toronto police chief Bill Blair, for example, was charged with leading a federal-provincial task force on the legalization of marijuana. Another who got extra duties was former Toronto municipal councillor Adam Vaughan, who was given the mandate of helping the government address national housing challenges.

The job of a parliamentary secretary can often be a stepping stone to cabinet as it’s a way for backbench MPs to showcase their abilities. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel, for example, was a particular strong performer as parliamentary secretary to then environment minister Peter Kent. She was later promoted, by prime minister Stephen Harper, to minister of state for Western economic diversification.

Trudeau has 29 cabinet ministers — 30 including himself. Fifteen are women. He promised gender equality in his cabinet during the last election and received international recognition for his commitment.

The Ottawa guessing game of who will go where has already begun.

Over the summer, there were persistent rumours that Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion would be shuffled out of his portfolio next year and sent to Paris to be Canada’s ambassador to France. Dion told HuffPost at the Liberals’ summer caucus that he wasn't interested in changing positions any time soon.

Cabinet ministers earn $81,500 on top of the $170,400 base salary.

UPDATE - Dec. 17, 2016: This story was updated with comments from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's director of communications Kate Purchase. The story originally stated Purchase neither confirmed nor denied a post-Christmas cabinet shuffle.

Also on HuffPost

How Much Are Federal Politicians Making? (2016)

(01 of56)

On April 1, 2016, members of Parliament received a 1.8 per cent pay increase, bringing the basic pay of each MP up to $170,400 from $167,400 the year prior.But while that base salary is the same for every member, certain MPs are afforded the chance to make much more.The full list of indemnities, salaries and allowances can be found here. (credit:Getty)

Member of the House of Commons(02 of56)

NDP MP Niki Ashton (Churchill-Keewatinook Aski) is an example of an MP who earns just the base salary afforded to all members.2016 Salary: $170,400 There are currently 338 MPs. (credit:The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Of Canada(03 of56)

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, however, makes double the salary of your average MP.2016 Salary: $340,800Car Allowance: $2,000 (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)

Speaker of the House of Commons(04 of56)

Liberal MP Geoff Regan (Halifax West) earns the base salary, plus $81,500 for serving as Speaker.2016 Salary: $251,900Car Allowance: $1,000 (credit:The Canadian Press)

Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons(05 of56)

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose earns the base MP salary, plus $81,500 for leading the Official Opposition.2016 Salary: $251,900Car Allowance: $2,000 (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/CP)

Cabinet Minister(06 of56)

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan (Vancouver South), like other cabinet ministers, earns $81,500 on top of the base MP salary.2015 Salary: $251,900Car Allowance: $2,000 (credit:Fred Chartrand/CP)

Leaders Of Other Parties(07 of56)

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and the leaders of the Green Party and Bloc Quebecois earn the base MP salary, plus $57,800 for serving as their party's top dog.2016 Salary: $228,200 (credit:The Canadian Press)

Government House Leader(08 of56)

Liberal MP Bardish Chagger (Waterloo), earns $81,500 on top of the base MP salary.2016 Salary: $251,900Car Allowance: $2,000 (credit:CP)

Opposition House Leader(09 of56)

Conservative MP Candice Bergen (Portage-Lisgar) earns the base MP salary plus a $42,200 pay bump for serving as Opposition House leader.2016 Salary: $212,600 (credit:CP)

House Leader Of Other Parties(10 of56)

NDP MP Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster) earns the base MP salary plus a $16,800 pay bump for serving as his party's House leader.2016 Salary: $187,200 (credit:The Canadian Press)

Chief Government Whip(11 of56)

Liberal MP Andrew Leslie (Orléans) earns the base MP salary, plus $30,500 for serving as the Trudeau government's whip.2016 Salary: $200,900 (credit:The Canadian Press)

Opposition Whip(12 of56)

Gordon Brown (Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes) also earns an additional $30,500 for serving as the Opposition's whip.2016 Salary: $200,900 (credit:Handout)

Parliamentary Secretary(13 of56)

Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes (Whitby) is one of 35 parliamentary secretaries who gets a $16,800 pay bump on top of her salary.2016 Salary: $187,200 (credit:The Canadian Press)

Senator(14 of56)

Senate Liberal Larry Campbell is an example of a senator who earns just the base salary afforded to all members.2016 Salary: $145,400 (credit:Handout)

Leader of the Government in the Senate/Government Representative(15 of56)

New Senate Liberal Peter Harder has been named the Trudeau government's "representative" in the upper chamber.He earns $81,500 on top of his base salary.2016 Salary: $226,900 (credit:The Canadian Press)

Speaker of the Senate(16 of56)

Senate Liberal George Furey earns the base salary, plus $59,500 for serving as Speaker.2016 Salary: $204,900Car allowance: $1,000Residence allowance: $3,000 (credit:The Canadian Press)

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate(17 of56)

Conservative Claude Carignan earns the base salary, plus $38,700 for serving in the role.2016 Salary: $184,100 (credit:The Canadian Press)

(18 of56)

Veteran Liberal MP Geoff Regan was elected the new Speaker of the House of Commons in December 2015.Though many Canadians might not know much about the job, House Speaker remains a very coveted role.Here are some of the unique perks and powers that come with the job. (credit:The Canadian Press)

A Pay Bump Of $80,100(19 of56)

As of April 2015, the House Speaker earns $80,100 on top of the base MP salary of $167,400. That's $247,500 a year — the same amount of money earned by cabinet ministers and the leader of the Official Opposition. (credit:The Canadian Press)

An Official Residence Called 'The Farm'(20 of56)

The Speaker also gets to live at a beautiful, official residence.Located at Kingsmere in the Gatineau Hills, the property consists of a farmhouse and five outbuildings surrounded by four acres of fields and forests.The residence is closed to the public but you can take a virtual tour on the National Capital Commission website. (credit:National Capital Commission)

An Apartment On Parliament Hill(21 of56)

The Speaker also gets a small apartment in Parliament’s Centre Block, but it isn't as luxurious as you might think.There's a double-bed and armoire in the small bedroom. (credit:Althia Raj/The Huffington Post Canada)

See?(22 of56)

The living room in the Speaker's apartment features a desk, TV, gas fireplace and fridge.There's also dressing room and a basic bathroom with a tub-shower combo, but no kitchen. (credit:Althia Raj/The Huffington Post Canada)

A Driver And $1,000 Car Allowance(23 of56)

The Speaker's yearly car allowance of $1,000 is less than that of the prime minister, cabinet ministers, and the official opposition leader who all get $2,000.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is shown giving a thumbs up from his car after taking a tour of the West Block. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/CP)

An Office Budget Of $414 Million(24 of56)

The Speaker's job is far from symbolic. He or she presides over question period, can expel misbehaving MPs, and has the power to make rulings when members think their rights have been infringed.The Speaker is in charge of the administration of the Commons, including staff, security, and printing and postal services.The Speaker also plays a diplomatic role by hosting foreign dignitaries, and travelling abroad as head of delegations at international conferences and other legislatures.Former House Speaker Andrew Scheer and Senate Speaker Leo Housakos show King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands the Senate chamber. (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

5th In Order Of Ceremonial Precedence(25 of56)

According to the department of Canadian Heritage, Canada's order of ceremonial precedence is as follows: Governor General, prime minister, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the Speaker of the Senate, and then the Speaker of the House of Commons. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)

The Speaker's Scotch? Oh Yes(26 of56)

In what has become a recent tradition, the Speaker selects a "Speaker's Scotch" that can be purchased at the parliamentary restaurant and even gets its own label.Regan told HuffPost he's going with Glen Breton, single malt whisky. (credit:The Canadian Press)

Mélanie Joly, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Quebec — Liberal(27 of56)

Joly, 36, made a name for herself by finishing second to ex-Liberal cabinet minister Denis Coderre in the Montreal mayoral race in 2013. A lawyer and communications expert who was heavily involved in her community, she ran for the Liberals and beat ex-Bloc MP-turned-New Democrat Maria Mourani. Joly was named minister of Canadian heritage. (credit:Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Whitby, Ontario — Liberal(28 of56)

Caesar-Chavannes first gave the Tories a fright in a 2014 byelection to fill the seat left behind by the late Jim Flaherty. Though she lost to Whitby's then-mayor Pat Perkins, the race ended up being a lot closer than many expected.In a rematch, Caesar-Chavannes, an entrepreneur and research consultant, won by almost 2,000 votes. (credit:The Canadian Press)

Gérard Deltell, Louis-Saint-Laurent, Quebec — Conservative(29 of56)

Deltell, a longtime member of Quebec's National Assembly, served as leader of the right-wing Action Démocratique du Québec until that party merged with Coalition Avenir Quebec a few years ago.He was considered a star recruit for the Conservatives, who have struggled in the province. Deltell easily defeated his Liberal challenger by nearly 20,000 votes. The NDP incumbent finished third. (credit:Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Mario Beaulieu, La Pointe-de-l'Île, Quebec — Bloc(30 of56)

Despite not having a seat, Beaulieu was elected leader of the Bloc Quebecois in June 2014. He gave up the role just before the start of the election to make room for former leader Gilles Duceppe.Though Duceppe lost his bid for a seat, Beaulieu was victorious and will soon have a chance to make his mark in Parliament. (credit:Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Bill Blair, Scarborough Southwest, Ontario — Liberal(31 of56)

Blair was chief of the Toronto Police Service from 2005 to 2015. He sparked controversy with his handling of the 2010 G20 protests in the city and publicly clashed with controversial ex-mayor Rob Ford.A police officer for 40 years, Blair says he was approached by the Tories and New Democrats before he decided to run for the Trudeau Liberals. (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Alain Rayes, Richmond-Arthabaska, Quebec — Conservative(32 of56)

Rayes, the popular mayor of Victoriaville since 2009, was courted for months to run federally. His pursuit of a nomination was interpreted as a sign of Conservative momentum in the province.Rayes rolled to victory, besting his nearest competitor (a Liberal) by more than 4,000 votes. (credit:City of Victoriaville/Flickr)

Daniel Blaikie, Elmwood-Transcona, Manitoba — NDP(33 of56)

Though New Democrats lost more than half their seats and saw many high-profile MPs defeated, Blaikie's razor-thin victory over a Tory incumbent was a bright spot.Blaikie, 31, is the son of NDP stalwart Bill Blaikie, who served as an MP from 1979 to 2008. His sister, Rebecca, is president of the NDP. (credit:Facebook)

Andrew Leslie, Orléans, Ontario — Liberal(34 of56)

Leslie, a retired general who led Canadian troops in Afghanistan, was one of the Liberals' star recruits. He served as Trudeau's foreign policy and defence adviser and unseated a Conservative incumbent in the Ottawa riding. (credit:Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)

Bill Morneau, Toronto Centre, Ontario — Liberal(35 of56)

Morneau, the former executive chair of Morneau Shepell, one of Canada's largest human resources firms, has landed the coveted finance portfolio. (credit:Marta Iwanek/The Canadian Press)

Jody Wilson-Raybould, Vancouver Granville, B.C. — Liberal(36 of56)

Wilson-Raybould, a former Crown prosecutor and regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations will serve as justice minister and attorney general. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Dianne Watts, South Surrey-White Rock, B.C. — Conservative(37 of56)

Watts, the very popular former mayor of Surrey, likely would have landed in cabinet if Harper's Conservatives won again. Instead, she will be a fresh face in the opposition benches.Mayor of B.C.'s second-largest city from 2005 to 2014, she was one of just two Conservatives endorsed by GreenPAC, a group dedicated to environmental causes. (credit:Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Harjit Sajjan, Vancouver South, B.C. — Liberal(38 of56)

Sajjan, a retired lieutenant colonel who also served in Afghanistan, was the first Sikh to command a Canadian Army regiment. He also served as a Vancouver police officer for 11 years.He has been named defence minister. (credit:Facebook)

Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba — Liberal(39 of56)

Ouellette, a Cree academic who served almost 20 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, surprised many with a strong campaign for mayor of Winnipeg in 2014.He unseated colourful NDP incumbent Pat Martin in a race that turned personal at times. Ouellette is one of a record 10 indigenous MPs elected to the House of Commons. (credit:Facebook)

Ron Liepert, Calgary Signal Hill, Alberta — Conservative(40 of56)

Liepert was an MLA in Alberta for 12 years and served as both minister of health and energy. He challenged controversial, longtime MP Rob Anders for the Tory nomination and even told Jason Kenney to "mind his own business" after the cabinet minister endorsed his rival.Liepert easily won his seat and, days later, bashed the way the Conservative Party ran the national campaign. Liepert, it seems, is no shrinking violet. (credit:Larry MacDougal/The Canadian Press)

Seamus O'Regan, St. John's South-Mount Pearl, N.L. — Liberal(41 of56)

O'Regan, a former host of "Canada AM" and CTV journalist, unseated an NDP incumbent in the Newfoundland riding.While well-known for his broadcasting career, O'Regan also worked as an assistant to Jean Charest, back when he was a Progressive Conservative environment minister. He also worked as a speechwriter for former Liberal Newfoundland and Labrador premier Brian Tobin. (credit:Andrew MacNaughtan/The Canadian Press)

MaryAnn Mihychuk, Kildonan-St. Paul, Manitoba — Liberal(42 of56)

Mihychuk was an NDP MLA in Manitoba from 1995 to 2004, serving as minister of industry, trade, and mines, and later minister of intergovernmental affairs. She has been named minister of employment. (credit:Facebook)

Catherine McKenna, Ottawa Centre, Ontario — Liberal(43 of56)

McKenna, a social justice lawyer, was a former legal advisor for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in East Timor and founded Canadian Lawyers Abroad (now known as Level), a charity focused on global justice issues. She will serve as minister of the environment and climate change. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo-Ladysmith, B.C. — NDP(44 of56)

Malcolmson captured the Vancouver Island riding for the NDP, winning by more than 6,000 votes.She is a former chairwoman of the Islands Trust Council, and was elected to that body four times. Her experience in local government could mean a key role in an NDP caucus now depleted of many veterans MPs. (credit:Facebook)

Karen McCrimmon, Kanata-Carleton, Ontario — Liberal(45 of56)

McCrimmon ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party in 2013 despite never holding elected office. A former lieutenant colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force, McCrimmon was the first female air navigator and first woman to command a Canadian Forces flying squadron. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

Kent Hehr, Calgary Centre, Alberta — Liberal(46 of56)

Hehr, an Alberta MLA from 2008 to 2015, was one of just two Liberals elected in Calgary. Grits were shut out of that city for almost 50 years.The 45-year-old will serve as minister of veterans affairs and associate minister of national defence. (credit:Facebook)

Dr. Jane Philpott, Markham-Stouffville, Ontario — Liberal(47 of56)

Philpott is a family physician, associate professor at the University of Toronto, and former chief of the department of family medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She unseated controversial parliamentary secretary Paul Calandra by nearly 4,000 votes.She will serve as minister of health. (credit:Facebook)

Amarjeet Sohi, Edmonton Mill Woods, Alberta — Liberal(48 of56)

A respected Edmonton city councillor since 2007, Sohi immigrated to Canada from India 35 years ago and served time behind bars as a political prisoner in India.He has been named minister of infrastructure. (credit:Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

Carla Qualtrough, Delta, B.C. — Liberal(49 of56)

Qualtrough, a lawyer and former Paralympian, will serve as minister of sport.Legally blind, Qualtrough won three Paralympic and four World Championship medals for Canada in swimming and was president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. (credit:Facebook)

Maryam Monsef, Peterborough, Ontario — Liberal(50 of56)

A community organizer, Monsef was born in Afghanistan. She fled the Taliban and came to Canada as a refugee with her widowed mother and sisters in 1996.Monsef, 30, will serve as minister for democratic institutions. (credit:Facebook)

Patty Hajdu, Thunder Bay-Superior North — Liberal(51 of56)

Hajdu, executive director of Thunder Bay's largest homeless shelter, will serve as status of women minister. (credit:Facebook)

Bardish Chagger, Waterloo, Ontario — Liberal(52 of56)

The 35-year-old, who worked for the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, will serve as minister of small business and tourism. (credit:Facebook)

Jean-Yves Duclos, Québec, Quebec — Liberal(53 of56)

Duclos, a renowned economics professor at Laval University, will serve as minister of families, children and social development. (credit:Facebook)

Jim Carr, Winnipeg South Centre, Manitoba — Liberal(54 of56)

Carr, a former Manitoba MLA and deputy leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, unseated a Tory incumbent by an astounding 17,000 votes.He will serve as minister of natural resources. (credit:John Woods/The Canadian Press)

Marco Mendicino, Eglinton-Lawrence, Ontario — Liberal(55 of56)

Mendicino, a former federal prosecutor, knows how to go up against big names and win. First, he beat Tory-turned-Liberal Eve Adams in a nomination battle and won the Toronto seat held by finance minister Joe Oliver by nearly 6,000 votes.He could be headed for big things in a Trudeau government. (credit:Salvatore Sacco/The Canadian Press)

Stephen Fuhr, Kelowna-Lake Country, B.C. — Liberal(56 of56)

Fuhr is a former CF-18 fighter pilot who served with the Canadian Air Force for 20 years. Though his riding had been reliably Conservative, he unseated the Tory incumbent by more than 4,000 votes.Fuhr wrote a blog for HuffPost last year detailing how he went from being a lifelong Conservative to a Liberal candidate. He could be considered for a cabinet or parliamentary secretary role. (credit:Facebook)

Suggest a correction

-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.

From Our Partner