Justin Trudeau is preparing a summer cabinet shuffle — and all eyes are on Mendicino
CBC
As the Liberal team recovers from a bruising few weeks in Parliament, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is preparing to reshuffle his cabinet over the summer, sources tell Radio-Canada.
Many changes can be expected. Several Liberal sources — who spoke to Radio-Canada on the condition they not be named — said they believe Marco Mendicino is at risk of being dismissed as minister of public safety.
Asked about the possibility of a shuffle before Tuesday morning's cabinet meeting, Trudeau had little to say.
"I am going into a cabinet meeting right now. We're going to have a lot of good work to do and I have nothing to announce today," he said.
WATCH: Prime Minister Trudeau brushes off questions about cabinet shuffle
But behind the scenes, sources say, advisers to the prime minister have been laying the groundwork for cabinet changes for weeks. Members of the prime minister's team, including deputy chiefs of staff Marjorie Michel and Brian Clow, have polled ministers to ask if they plan to run in the next election.
It's the first step in a re-organization that should bring changes at the top in several ministries.
The cabinet shuffle is expected sometime during the summer, possibly as early as July. The Prime Minister's Office is building the team that will be with him when the next federal election is called, sources said.
The shuffle is an attempt to give the government a facelift after a difficult few months. The timing would allow new ministers to familiarize themselves with their files before the next cabinet retreat, scheduled for the end of August.
Mendicino has been under intense pressure for weeks. His management of Bill C-21 on gun control, communication problems related to Chinese interference in Canadian politics and the controversy surrounding the transfer of Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison have all damaged his image considerably.
Behind the scenes, all of the Liberals who spoke to Radio-Canada said they believe their colleague will find it difficult to keep his job at public safety.
"Marco, I don't think he will stay," one elected official said in French.
"Mendicino is at the top of my list," a Liberal strategist said in French when asked who is most likely to be demoted.
Liberal sources suggest Mendicino could be given another cabinet portfolio to allow him to rebuild his image.
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