Prime Minister Mark Carney’s sweeping cabinet overhaul has left out 11 ministers from his initial team formed barely two months ago — a move signaling his intent to sharply redefine the Liberal government’s direction.
Among those removed are longtime cabinet figures from the Trudeau era, including former Defence Minister Bill Blair, former Treasury Board President Ginette Petitpas Taylor, and former Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. Carney also dropped several MPs he had just appointed in March, such as Kody Blois, Arielle Kayabaga, and Ali Ehsassi, as well as other Trudeau-era appointees like Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Élisabeth Brière, Terry Duguid, and Rachel Bendayan.
Kamal Khera, the former Health Minister and Brampton West MP, was not reappointed after failing to win re-election in April.
Key Departures
Jonathan Wilkinson, who served in several senior roles including Environment and Energy, was a key player in Ottawa’s response to U.S. tariffs and climate policy. A four-term MP from British Columbia, Wilkinson thanked both Carney and Trudeau in a farewell message, calling cabinet service “the privilege of a lifetime.” He is replaced by Tim Hodgson, a Carney confidant and Bay Street executive.
Bill Blair, a former Toronto police chief and veteran of multiple cabinet posts including Public Safety, Border Security, and Emergency Preparedness, had most recently been Defence Minister. He is succeeded by David McGuinty.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor, a four-time MP from Moncton-Dieppe, had held a variety of portfolios under Trudeau and briefly under Carney, including Health, Official Languages, Veterans Affairs, and most recently, Treasury Board. That position now goes to Brampton MP Shafqat Ali.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who developed a reputation for voting his conscience even when it meant breaking ranks, had served briefly as Housing Minister under both Trudeau and Carney. After initially planning to leave federal politics, he reversed course and won re-election. He expressed disappointment in his removal, stating on social media that “the way it played out doesn’t sit right.”
Arielle Kayabaga, one of the newest and youngest faces in cabinet, had been appointed Government House Leader during a time Parliament was not sitting. A refugee from Burundi and first-term MP from London West, Kayabaga said she remains proud of her service and committed to her role as an MP.
Kamal Khera, previously responsible for Seniors, Diversity and Inclusion, and most recently Health, lost her Brampton West seat in the April general election, ending her cabinet tenure.
The shuffle also saw the quiet departure of Quebec MPs Rachel Bendayan and Élisabeth Brière, as well as Manitoba MP Terry Duguid.
A Cabinet of Contrasts
Carney’s revised cabinet, unveiled Tuesday, leans heavily on fresh perspectives, with half of its ministers serving for the first time. While veterans like François-Philippe Champagne and Dominic LeBlanc were retained in strategic portfolios, Carney made a clear break from many Trudeau-era appointees in an attempt to turn the page on the past decade.
The new structure also reflects Carney’s effort to create a leaner, more nimble cabinet, complemented by 10 secretaries of state in junior roles — a structure last used by Canadian governments in the 1990s.
The reshuffle has already drawn criticism from within the Liberal caucus and from advocacy groups concerned about representation and continuity. Carney, however, has framed the overhaul as necessary to meet the moment and deliver on promises of economic renewal, housing reform, and redefined federalism.