The federal Liberals’ new minister for labour and seniors is Steven MacKinnon, who most recently served as government House leader.
The Gatineau, Que., MP was sworn in at Rideau Hall on Friday morning alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon.
Outgoing labour minister Seamus O’Regan announced Thursday he was resigning from cabinet for family reasons, though he is staying on as a Newfoundland MP until the next federal election.
The modest tweak to Trudeau’s cabinet comes as questions swirl around the Liberals’ political future, following a surprising byelection loss in a long-held Toronto riding last month and speculation over whether a broader change-up is necessary.
MacKinnon acknowledged that the government needs to do a better job communicating its message to Canadians.
“We’re resolved to continue the work and continue on the path that we have set for Canadians. We understand, of course, there is nothing you can take for granted in politics,” he told reporters after accepting the appointment.
“You can plan all you want,” he said, but the government also needs to be nimble in the face of what he described as recent “head-spinning events.”
MacKinnon joined cabinet in January to replace government House leader Karina Gould while she is on maternity leave.
In that role, he “accumulated a wealth of experience building consensus and working with partners to pass legislation,” a news release from the Prime Minister’s Office said, adding he has “advanced progress on health care, affordable housing, organized labour and climate action.”
Gould will resume her previous role when she returns to the fold at the end of July, Trudeau’s office said.
Her “steely resolve and wisdom” will be a help when the House of Commons resumes in the fall, MacKinnon said.
Previously, MacKinnon served as the Liberals’ chief whip in the House of Commons. And throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as a parliamentary secretary in the crucial procurement portfolio.
He was first elected in the 2015 contest that swept Trudeau’s Liberals into power.
The full cabinet was expected to hold a brief virtual meeting on Friday for the first time since the byelection loss, which triggered some calls for Trudeau to step down.
MacKinnon was unequivocal when asked whether Trudeau should take time over the summer to consider if it’s time to quit.
“The prime minister enjoys the full support of me, of my colleagues, and the prime minister has obviously the full authority and full discretion to make the choices that he has to make,” MacKinnon said.
“Our confidence in him to make those choices is total.”
