Canadian Legislative News

New Federal Cabinet Sworn In

In late November, the Canadian federal cabinet was sworn in at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his new and expanded cabinet with major shake-ups that mirror the Liberal government priorities and the new minority government dynamic. This cabinet will work closely with members of all opposition parties to ensure the successful passage of legislation. 

Many of the key subjects relevant to fleet managers and the automotive industry have remained the same. They include:

• Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance
• Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
• Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry

The continuity of Minister Garneau at Transport and Minister Morneau at Finance is important to NAFA. The Association will be able to build upon the past advocacy work with these key ministers. Also, most senior political staff in these offices will be maintaining their roles. NAFA will continue fostering and leveraging the key relationships amongst decision-makers as in the past, and hit the ground running with the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Public Safety, and the Minister of Environment under the minority mandate the government has won.

There were also a number of moves by existing ministers, and promotions for Members of Parliament (MP) that had not been in previous cabinets. Important moves to NAFA include:

• Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
• Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Bill Blair comes in to fill the gap left by Minister Ralph Goodale, who did not win re-election in Saskatchewan. Blair was previously an Associate Minister of Public Safety. In his new duty, he will oversee the continued implementation of the cannabis policy and regulations across Canada.
• Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and climate change. Climate change was at the forefront of this election cycle. Minister Wilkinson will oversee the implementation of the highly unpopular federal carbon tax in the provinces of Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and New Brunswick. Wilkinson will also have fuel emissions standards on his agenda this winter.
• François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Minister Champagne's main task will be to see Canada through the ratification of the USMCA and improve relationships with its key trading partners. 

NAFA's Canadian government relations team will reach out to the relevant cabinet ministers to congratulate them on the appointments and also to introduce NAFA and fleet managers as key stakeholders.