Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau speaks at a rally in Windsor on January 21, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau speaks at a rally in Windsor on January 21, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Windsor

Prime Minister Shuffles Federal Cabinet

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a number of changes to the federal cabinet.

On Tuesday, current Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland was named minister of foreign affairs.  The move leaves Stephane Dion, the current foreign affairs minister, without a cabinet spot.

"The Honourable Stéphane Dion has served his country in many different roles over the last 21 years with integrity and a fierce love of Canada," Trudeau says in a statement. "I, and all Canadians, owe him a deep debt of gratitude for his service."

As well, current Minister of Status of Women Patricia A. Hajdu will become minister of employment, workforce development and labour.  Current employment minister MaryAnn Mihychuk has also been removed from the cabinet.  She will continue to serve as the MP for Kildonan—St. Paul.

The prime minister also named Maryam Monsef, who currently sits as minister of democratic institutions, as minister of status of women.

François-Philippe Champagne, who is currently parliamentary secretary to the minister of finance, is now the minister of international trade.

Karina Gould, the current parliamentary secretary to the minister of international development, will become minister of democratic institutions.

Ahmed D. Hussen has also been named minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, and will replace John McCallum.  McCallum has been appointed as the Canadian ambassador to China.

"The Canada-China relationship will be well served by such a strong presence from our government," says Trudeau.

The shuffle of cabinet positions comes two weeks before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

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