PM Trudeau names Anita Anand transport minister after Pablo Rodriguez quits cabinet
CTV
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Treasury Board President Anita Anand to take on additional duties as Canada's minister of transport on Thursday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Treasury Board President Anita Anand to take on additional duties as Canada's minister of transport on Thursday.
The minor shakeup to his front bench came as a result of longtime cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez announcing that he was quitting as a minister to run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP).
His decision to get out of Trudeau’s government also left the Liberals without a Quebec lieutenant. Minister of Procurement Jean Yves Duclos is taking over that title.
Anand was sworn in to her new role in a brief ceremony at Rideau Hall on Thursday afternoon. Trudeau was not present, but Gov. Gen. Mary Simon was, as were a small number of staff and family members.
There are plans underway for a bigger shuffle in the next few months, sources tell CTV News.
Speaking to reporters, Anand thanked Rodriguez for his contributions but dodged questions about what his departure means for the Liberals’ political fortunes.
“In terms of his decision, that is a decision that he made independently, and I wish him well,” she said.
