Digital Government Minister Joyce Murray has been tasked with leading work on a next generation human resources and pay system to replace the problematic Phoenix program that has caused headaches for public servants since its introduction in 2016.

Shes also been tapped to lead the renewal of Shared Services Canada so that it is properly resourced and aligned to deliver common IT infrastructure that is reliable and secure. Shared Services is the federal agency responsible for consolidated IT services that has drawn the ire of critics both inside and outside government for its slow progress in completing major projects.

Murray was tasked with the responsibilities, as well as others, in her new mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, publicly released on Friday.

READ MORE: Murray handed responsibility for Shared Services Canada

Of course, the rocky rollout of the Phoenix pay system has seen thousands of pubic servants miss payments, or be overpaid or underpaid, or deal with other payment related issues. With the backlog of issues still to this day in the thousands, the Trudeau government committed near the end of its last mandate to replace Phoenix.

As part of her duties, Murray has also been asked to lead work across government to transition to a more digital government in order to improve citizen service and oversee the chief information officer and the Canadian Digital Service as they work with departments to develop solutions that will benefit Canadians and enhance the capacity to use modern tools and methodologies across government.

And Murray has been tasked with leading the work to analyze and improve the delivery of information technology within government, including identifying all core and at-risk IT systems and platforms.

As iPolitics reported last month, Murray replaced the public services and procurement minister as the responsible minister for Shared Services.

This past March, Murray was named president of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government after Jane Philpott resigned from the role amid the SNC-Lavalin scandal. In last months cabinet shuffle, she retained the digital government portfolio but was replaced as president of the Treasury Board by Jean-Yves Duclos.

Debi Daviau told iPolitics in November that she believed that developing the replacement to the troubled Phoenix pay system would eventually find its way under Shared Services (or Shared Services would at least have a role in it), as it was a task that fell under Treasury Board.

Murrays office still falls under the Treasury Board Secretariat.

In her retooled ministerial posting, Murray has also been tasked with working with the families, children and social development minister and national revenue minister to implement a voluntary, real-time e-payroll system with an initial focus on small businesses.

Her other priorities outlined in the mandate letter include:

READ MORE: Joly tasked with creating new technology and commercial support fund for Western Canada

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Murray handed reins of developing Phoenix replacement - iPolitics.ca

While Saturday marked the first anniversary of the start of landfill work at a planned U.S. base site in the Henoko coastal area in Okinawa, the dispute between the central government and the prefecture is seen heating up further, including over possible project revisions.

At a news conference on Friday, Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki denounced the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for ignoring the will of local people and pressing ahead with the illegal landfill work.

Its an act of trampling on democracy, Tamaki said.

In a prefectural referendum last February, 70 percent of Okinawa voters rejected the Henoko base project, which calls for building a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma air base in the Okinawa city of Ginowan. The plan is based on a Japan-U.S. agreement.

Ignoring the referendum result, the Abe administration continued the Henoko landfill work. The work has been completed for about 70 percent of sections where the work started in 2018 and about 10 percent of areas where reclamation started in March 2019.

We lack a trump card to stop the work, a prefectural assembly member close to Tamaki said.

The prefectural government has launched two lawsuits, both over the land ministers decision in April to override the prefectural governments revocation in August 2018 of its approval for the Henoko landfill work.

In one of the lawsuits, however, the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court in October dismissed the prefectural governments claim that the invalidation of the approval cancellation was illegal.

The Abe administration is aiming to have the Henoko work recognized as a done deal, observers said.

Well proceed (with the landfill work) based on related laws and regulations, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference on Friday.

The Defense Ministrys Okinawa Defense Bureau is poised to speed up the landfill work, planning to shortly deploy a large soil-carrying vessel.

One problem the Abe administration faces, however, is the discovery of soft ground in the eastern part of the Henoko landfill site.

The Defense Ministry is considering placing about 77,000 piles into the ground for reinforcement. Still, it would need to obtain the prefectural governments permission to conduct the work.

The ministry is expected to apply early next year for such permission, which the prefecture is expected to reject.

The central government could counter by filing a lawsuit, observers said.

The anticipated June 2020 Okinawa Prefectural Assembly election could have major implications for the Henoko base project, they also said.

Abes ruling Liberal Democratic Party and others supporting the Henoko project need to win a majority in the Okinawa assembly, an administration source said.

Suga is set to visit Okinawa next week, apparently in preparation for the prefectural election.

Tamaki, meanwhile, seems keen to help those backing him, including the Social Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party, keep a majority in the prefectural assembly.

Continued here:
Henoko dispute between Okinawa and Japan's central government seen further intensifying - The Japan Times

Tonights Evening Brief is brought to you by iPoliticsLIVE Events. We bring together experts and leaders from various backgrounds and perspectives to advance innovative solutions to major challenges and facilitate dialogue. Join the Conversation!Click here for more information.

Good evening, readers.

The Lead

Mexico will not allow U.S. labour attaches in the country, said Gomez Camacho, Mexicos ambassador to Canada.

The ambassadors comments come in response to legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress that would send five U.S. labour attaches to Mexico to ensure labour provisions under the United-Stated-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) are being properly enforced. In an exclusive interview with iPolitics, Camacho said embassy personal must be approved by the host country and Mexican authorities would not allow labour attaches even if the U.S. Congress approved them.

If the intention was for these labour attaches to do any function of inspection, we absolutely disagree and we do not accept that he said.

Camacho said the proposal was put forward by U.S. lawmakers due to internal negotiations with trade unions who he said were concerned that U.S. jobs might go to Mexico if standards around wages were not set and enforced.

But, the ambassador said the three countries should follow the process currently laid out in USMCA. He said any of the three countries can make a labour complaint if they believe private businesses in another country is not following the provisions under USMCA.

Rachel Emmanuel reports.

In Canada

Ottawa is projected to run a $26.6 billion deficit in the current fiscal year, according to government economic and fiscal update released on Monday.

In the first presentation of federal finances since the October election, Finance Canada figures show Ottawa is expected to run annual deficits in the tens of billions of dollars for the immediate future.

The deficit total is expected to increase to a high of $28.1 billion next fiscal year, 2020-21, before gradually declining into 2024-25, when the estimated annual amount is projected to be $11.6 billion. The federal fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31.

Jolson Lim has the breakdown.

New Brunswicks premier says the prime minister told him his provinces plan to limit the greenhouse gas emissions of large emitters could be accepted as early as January, just days after the federal government announced it accepted the provinces plan that directly applies to consumers.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs was in Ottawa on Monday where he andPrime Minster Justin Trudeaumet and discussed the provinces proposed output-based pricing system for large industrial carbon emitters. Higgs said that Trudeau told him he would seek cabinets approval for New Brunswicks planned replacement for the federal governments own system sometime next month.

iPolitics reporter Charlie Pinkerton has the details.

A new Statistics Canada study shows the share of gig economy workers in Canada is increasing a trend that one economist says is worrisome.

The report from the federal agency released on Monday found about 1.7 million workers, 8.2 per cent of the Canadian labour force aged 15 and older, did some form of gig work in 2016. That marks an increase from about 1 million workers in 2005, 5.5 per cent.

Gig economy work is defined in the study as unincorporated self-employed workers who enter into various contracts with firms or individuals to complete a specific task or to work for a specific period of time. It includes freelancers and on-demand workers hired by online platforms such as Uber and Fiverr.

Lim has this one as well.

In Ontario, the provincial Alcohol and Gaming Commission was aware of at least one law enforcement matter, as well as ongoing investigative work, in the days following its last cannabis lottery, a document obtained by iPolitics shows just days after Ontario announced its impending move away from the lottery system.

A briefing note on the last retail lotterys results, acquired through a freedom of information request, contains multiple sections redacted due to information that could reasonably be expected to interfere with a law enforcement matter, or an investigation undertaken with a view to a law enforcement proceeding. Information was also redacted that was seen to possibly reveal investigative techniques in use or likely to be used. Much of the redacted information was contained under a section detailing the AGCOs next steps following the provincial draw.

Victoria Gibson reports from Toronto.

Lobby Wrap: Three consultants register for Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario

The Sprout: Mexico says no to U.S. labour inspectors, says ambassador

The Drilldown: Jason Kenney headed to London to talk energy

In Other Headlines

Morneau open to Alberta Premier Kenneys request for a boost to fiscal stabilization program (CBC News)

Conservative leadership gets committed candidate as political heavyweights mull options (CBC News)

Former Harper-era minister Michael Fortier looking very seriously at run for Conservative leadership (The Hill Times)

NDP wants more transparency, regular reviews of new North American trade deal (The Canadian Press)

Internationally

Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his support for Hong Kongs embattled leader on Monday. Xi praised Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam for holding fast to the principle of one country, two systems, and for courage and commitment during an extraordinary period for Hong Kong, where Lam has faced harsh criticism for how she has handled months of fiery anti-government protests. (The Associated Press)

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday that President Donald Trump will announce an American troop drawdown from Afghanistan this week, potentially reducing the troops from 12,000 to 8,600. The senator said he supports the expected drawdown, saying the fewer U.S. troops would still be sufficient to guarantee that Afghanistan doesnt become a launching pad for another attack on U.S. soil. The withdrawal will likely begin next year. (The Associated Press)

The Kicker

How old do you think the worlds oldest couple is? Well, John and Charlotte Henderson recently celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary at 106 and 105-years-old respectively. I guess true love does exist.

More from iPolitics

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Evening Brief: Another hitch in USMCA negotiations - iPolitics.ca

In an email to colleagues sent just after 4pm on Tuesday, Mr Garling said: "I have been informed today that the government has not re-appointed me for a further term. I am not aware of the person who will replace me."

The Herald understands that Attorney-General Mark Speakman will announce Mr Garling's replacement as early as Wednesday.

NSW Labor spokesman for Finance Daniel Mookhey said the removal of Mr Garling from the WIRO was a "brutal show of force by a government determined to silence anyone who speaks truthfully about the failings of the NSW workers compensation system".

"Injured workers will be aghast to learn that the only independent advocate left to help them navigate a harsh and punitive workers compensation system has not been reappointed," Mr Mookhey said.

"The Minister must immediately explain his extraordinary decision. He must guarantee that WIRO will remain an independent voice for injured workers."

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge described Mr Garling as a "genuine honest broker".

"And that hasn't always made him popular with the government," he said.

Mr Garling said he was proud of the achievements of his staff who had helped injured workers.

"The results have been astonishing with insurers admitting errors sometimes of $70,000 or more, Mr Garling said.

One of the very important functions was to make frank and positive comments about how the workers compensation system operates and I have been prepared to highlight areas where the system has not been successful in providing fairness for workers.

"I have put forward recommendations for improvements over my term. I was delighted when the Minister for Customer Service indicated that the Government would support the expansion of the WIRO office and its functions to provide a similar role for those persons injured in motor vehicle accidents.

The WIRO has been recognised internationally for its approach to the quick and efficient resolution of disputes.

"No other office has provided welcome relief for injured workers as quickly and cheaply as my staff have done," Mr Garling said. I wish the new WIRO well.

WIRO, the only independent office that reviews complaints from injured workers in dispute over their compensation claims, last year faced the threat of closure.

The NSW Law Society and Unions NSW argued for its retention and urged the state government to maintain a transparent dispute resolution process.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman said a new WIRO officer will soon be appointed following a competitive application process.

"Any allegation that Mr Garling is being punished is ridiculous," Mr Speakman said.

"Applicants for the role were assessed and interviewed by a highly-qualified selection panel who then provided impartial advice for consideration by government.

"I thank Mr Garling for his valuable contributions over his many years of service and wish him all the very best for his future endeavours."

Anna Patty is Workplace Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald. She is a former Education Editor, State Political Reporter and Health Reporter.

Visit link:
Workers compensation watchdog to be replaced - The Age

Published: Monday, Dec 16th, 2019

New emergency accommodation is set to be created for homeless people in Flintshire.

The county is currently without short term bed spaces for rough sleepers after a pilot scheme was withdrawn at short notice in September.

However, Flintshire Council is now planning to establish a new shelter in Shotton to meet the demand.

The local authority said it hoped to have the facility up and running by next month.

It comes after a senior official said it was now normal to see people sleeping on the streets in the area.

In a report, Neal Cockerton, the councils chief officer for housing and assets, said:Rough sleeping is often seen as a major issue only witnessed in our major towns and cities and presents these areas with their unique challenges particularly around the provision of appropriate facilities to deal with numbers of rough sleepers which are often high.

However, rough sleeping is no longer just an issue in these conurbations, it is now a fairly common sight to see rough sleepers in the communities of Flintshire.

There is currently no emergency bed provision in Flintshire, this was withdrawn at short notice by our service provider.

Since the provision ended at the end of September we have been working through options for replacement premises even on the basis that this may be relatively short term (up to two years).

In relation to this we have identified a building in Shotton which would present the most appropriate accommodation unit and work is underway to understand what we would need to do to fit approximately 50 per cent of this out.

Having been recently decanted this work would be relatively minimal.

Mr Cockerton said the aim of the facility would be to provide a number of services under one roof, includingdrug and alcohol services, medical support, housing assistance and signposting for rehabilitation.

He added the shelter was in a good location where most homeless people would easily be able to gain access.

During a recent six month period, approximately 109 young people who were either homeless or threatened with losing the roof over their heads approached the council for help.

The main reason why 16-24 year olds found themselves in crisis was because their parents were no longer willing to accommodate them.

Mr Cockerton said a number of measures had been put in place to help youngsters faced with homelessness.

He said: Flintshires housing solutions team currently have a youth provision within the service consisting of a dedicated housing solutions officer and a childrens services worker.

A youth worker was appointed in September 2019 to enable wider support to youths that are faced with homelessness and to enable a more joined up service that is seamless for the young person with one point of access and a wide range of support options available to them.

Cabinet members will be asked to support a number of updates to its local action plan on homelessness at a meeting being held tomorrow .

Liam Randall Local Democracy Reporter (more here).

Read more:
New emergency accommodation set to be created for homeless people in Flintshire - Deeside.com

The biggest lie of recent times, which turned into a political meme, is that cooperation with the IMF is a good signal for foreign investors. In fact, cooperation with the fund is a kind of leprosy stigma, a signal that this is a dangerous country, infected with the crisis. The largest inflow of foreign direct investment in Ukraine was observed in 2002-2007 when our country did not cooperate with the IMF, but since 2014, when relations with the fund became almost an integral part of the national idea, foreign direct investment (FDI) is at a freezing point: no more than 2, 3 billion USD a year. That's for whom our cooperation with the IMF is really important, so it is for portfolio investors, who are also called financial speculators. They are making hot investments in Ukrainian government debt. For them, the IMF loan allocated to Ukraine is a sure sign that they will be settled.

Few people thought about one simple fact, which is not particularly customary to spread: since 1994, we have not fully implemented any cooperation programs with the background, with the exception of the first one for 0.76 billion USD, which was implemented during the transition to a market economy from the post-Soviet planning system. The second program in 1995-1998 was implemented only by 54% due to the violation of the IMF requirements in terms of money supply growth and the size of the budget deficit. In 1998-2002, a scandal with the manipulation of National Bank (NBU) data regarding the size of foreign exchange reserves erupted. In 2002-2008, we did not cooperate with the fund and did not even use the working credit limit of 0.6 billion USD. But the crisis of 2008 was minimized thanks to IMF loans: then we received a total of 64% of the credit line in the amount of 16.5 billion USD, that is, 10.6 billion USD (three tranches). The reason for the suspension of the program is the failure to fulfill obligations to the fund. In this program, part of the credit tranches was credited directly to the budget, and not to the NBU reserves. In 2010, a new ambitious program was signed in the amount of 15.1 billion USD, but the percentage of its implementation was even less - 22%. In fact, this program was designed to prevent Ukraine from disrupting preparatory activities for Euro 2012.

In 2014, the IMF signed an emergency stand-by lending program with us, the specificity of which is to provide loans to replenish the reserves of the country's central bank in the face of structural deterioration in the balance of payments. The program was suspended by agreement of the parties, as the IMF decided that Ukraine, after a series of crises, was already ripe for systemic reforms. That is why the parties decided that instead of the stand-by, the new format of cooperation would be more suitable for the extended financing program, which, among other things, allows allocating tranches to replenish the state budget, but in return suggests a longer-term cooperation plan (while the stand-by is for a year or two), as well as deeper systemic reforms of the economy of the recipient country. The new program amounted to 17.5 billion USD, and Ukraine received four tranches for the first time, although the amount received was less than in the 2008 program: 8.7 billion USD. Finally, in 2018, the simplified format again replaced the extended lending program. Until the spring of 2020, Ukraine could receive up to 4 billion USD, and the first tranche was transferred at the end of 2018 in the amount of 1.4 billion USD.

Another two tranches of 1.3 billion USD were received by our country in 2019, but the second tranche, scheduled for May of this year, paused the judicial decisions on Privat Bank, adopted in the interests of its former owners in the interval between the first and second rounds of the presidential election, that is, in April 2019, when it became completely clear that Poroshenko resigns as president, and Zelensky comes to that. Just a few court decisions cost the country 2.6 billion USD, which had to be replaced with super-expensive private funding to receive peak payments on public debt in May and September. In total, we had to overpay approximately 100 million USD a year to service such a replacement of IMF loans with expensive private loans.

But the problem of paying public debts faces Ukraine just as acute next year. It will be necessary to attract 4.9 billion USD in the foreign market and more than 230 billion UAH (0,9 billion USD) in the domestic market to fulfill the plans for borrowing. IMF loans in most cases are not credited to the budget and cannot be used by the Ministry of Finance to pay off external debts.

They fall directly into the NBU's gold and foreign exchange reserves and can be used by the latter to conduct foreign exchange interventions, in particular, to sell foreign currency directly to the Ministry of Finance. This requires only the availability of hryvnia resources in a single treasury account, but even if there is no money in the required amount, the National Bank can replenish the TSA by transferring its profits to the budget or by quasi-fiscal domination. Thus, the use of IMF loans to pay off debts is indirect, but the very circuitry for transforming the NBU gold reserves into a resource in the foreign currency treasury account of the Ministry of Finance is quite simple.

In fact, the IMF is interested in continuing cooperation with Ukraine. There are several reasons for this. After Zelenskys conversation with the head of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, the contours of the future program emerged. It will be a simple stand-by for three years in the amount of 4 billion SDR or 5.5 billion USD. It is worth noting that Ukraine owes the fund at the moment 8.78 billion USD, that is, more than three billion more, and we need to give them back in the coming years.

Thus, even after the signing of a new program of cooperation with the fund, the balance of financial flows will be in favor of the IMF, and we will not only refund the received, but also pay our 3 billion USD, plus we will remain under the new program. In addition, the IMF is a representative of external lenders, and he is interested in Ukraine repaying its debts to the last Ukrainian.

What is the key feature of the current negotiations? The fact is that, based on the government agenda, our country could not have had any problems getting new credit tranches. Our Cabinet tried to be holier than the Pope, that is, more toxic than the IMF itself: the governments program includes land reform with a bunch of systemic risks, and a new Labor Code that destroys the rights of an employee, and market utility tariffs, and the sale of state property for conditional hryvnia exchange rate. The IMF could not even dream of such a thing. If not for one factor that impedes further movement. It's about PrivatBank. Back in September, the Ukrainian negotiators made timid proposals regarding the so-called zero option, in which the nationalization of PrivatBank would be considered illegal with accrual of compensation in favor of the former owners, which could be offset by the amount of credit debt of companies directly or indirectly related to former beneficiaries of the bank. Naturally, the IMF could not agree for the implementation of this scenario, and moreover, the factor of trust in the new government was undermined.

The rest is here:
Ukraine-IMF cooperation: Myths and reality - 112 International

Boris Johnson will today tell newly elected MPs that their first parliamentary vote will be to get Brexit done.The Prime Minister will speak with the 109 newly-elected Tories as they arrive in Westminster following the partys thumping victory over Labour in the general election last week. However, the planned separation from the EU on January 31, may not stop the UK heavily funding the bloc, in fact, they may be relying on Mr Johnsons signature more than ever to fund a new project in space.

Horizon Europeis a planned seven-yearEU scientific research initiative meant to succeed the currentHorizon 2020programme, of which the European Commissiondrafted and approved a plan to raise EU science spending levels by 50 percent over the years 2021-2027.

Cabinet minister Chris Skidmore has explained why the UK may have to fork-out a significant investment into it.

He told Express.co.uk:When it comes to projects like Horizon Europe, I want us to continue with European research partnerships, Ive not met anyone who doesnt.

All the contingency measures weve got, all the existing programmes, we are continuing to pay for, even after we get our of the European Union for the lifetime of those programmes.

They need more than ever to achieve

Chris Skidmore

I think Ive spoken to every European researcher and its been a goal of mine to show that we want to continue in Horizon 2020 as a third country.

Obviously youve got this new programme, Horizon Europe, thats coming on stream from the beginning of 2021 onwards too.

Mr Skidmore explained why the UK will be keen to be a part of the Horizon Europe programme.

He added: Were in the last year of Horizon 2020 and our manifesto makes it clear that we want to continue in Horizon.

Now its about battling the naysayers who claim were not going to be able to do it.

JUST IN:UK Galileo replacement to integrate with US GPS as Brexit inspires new relationship

I honestly think that were going to be able to get around the table and pay into the budget.

The one thing is that the actual association articles arent open for negotiations yet because they are still agreeing the overall budget for Horizon Europe.

Mr Skidmore went on to detail why the EU is likely to want the UK to be a part of the project.

He continued: I think theyve come to a settlement now on 84billion about two days ago.

But they need more than ever to achieve that because we are currently the largest contributors financially into Horizon 2020.

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So Im assuming we will get full access to all the programmes and Ill be lobbying for that.

Horizon Europes framework is different to Horizon 2020, before, if you were a third-party country, you couldnt participate in certain core things like the European Research Council.

However, things will be different for the EUs new plans.

Mr Skidmore explained: Thats not the same with Horizon Europe, Ive been told by the commissioner that if we stump up the money we will be able to get full access.

I think theres a really strong case for continuing, we already put in about 1billion a year and get 1.3billion back, so its a net beneficial.

So if were going to be putting in 18billion into research and development, we can easily afford to buy into the programme.

As soon as we get Brexit done, I want to be straight back into having those discussions.

Mr Skidmore also confirmed the UK will build its own replacement for the Galileo system Europes Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), built to rival the USs GPS system that will be used for military defence and critical national infrastructure purposes.

Among the most crucial parts of the system is thePublic Regulated Service (PRS),an encrypted navigation service used by government agencies, the armed forces and emergency services.

The EU insists access to this will only be forthe bloc'smembers when it launches in 2020 and so it has now been confirmed Boris Johnson has pushed forward plans for a 5billion full system to launch in 2030.

Originally posted here:
They need us more than ever! EU depending on UK for 84bn post-Brexit project funding - Express

OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus new federal cabinet has grown by two spots to reach 36 members. Of those, four are from B.C., four are from Atlantic Canada, one is from Manitoba and the rest are from Ontario and Quebec. There are no spectacular surprises in the new cabinet, and many significant portfolios such as finance, defence, justice and Indigenous relations are staying the same. But there were also notable changes as the government retools for a minority parliament situation. Heres an overview of whos moving up, whos moving down and whos moving in.

Promotions

Chrystia Freeland, who as global affairs minister was perhaps the highest-profile minister last term, is now being clearly marked as Trudeaus right hand in cabinet. Shes been named deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs and its that second role that will be especially important as Trudeau grapples with regional grievances and combative premiers. Freelands replacement in global affairs is Franois-Philippe Champagne, who gets a promotion from infrastructure minister. His new job comes as trade tensions remain high and Canada seeks a security council seat at the United Nations.

B..C.s Jonathan Wilkinson takes over the contentious environment and climate change file, moving up from fisheries minister. Having a western-based environment minister who was raised in Saskatchewan may help Trudeau sell his climate policies, though Wilkinson certainly faces a tough task.

Meanwhile, Newfoundlands Seamus ORegan is moving from Indigenous services to natural resources, giving him oversight of the energy and pipeline file. On one hand, hes from an oil-producing province that is no stranger to falling on hard economic times. On the other, ORegan is close personal friends with Trudeau and may not get an easy ride on the prairies.

Another notable promotion is Quebecs Pablo Rodriguez moving from heritage minister to government house leader, a key role in a minority parliament where every legislative move will need careful negotiation with the other parties. Rodriguez will also be Trudeaus cabinet point person on all matters Quebec.

Demotions

Among the top ranks of last terms cabinet there are no massive demotions this time around. Most of the moves are essentially lateral, such as Catherine McKenna moving from environment to infrastructure. But there are still some noticeable steps down.

Bardish Chagger was government house leader last term, but shes been moved out of that role ahead of the minority parliament when it becomes a much trickier job. Instead Chagger has been given the portfolio of diversity, inclusion and youth a vague-sounding title that did not exist in the last cabinet (aside from the fact Trudeau himself had take on the role of youth minister).

Two cabinet ministers have been dropped from cabinet entirely, Kristy Duncan (previously minister for science and sport) and Ginette Petitpas Taylor (previously minister of health). Both are taking on non-cabinet roles, Duncan as deputy house leader and Petitpas Taylor as deputy government whip.

Petitpas Taylor leaves the health portfolio as its about to take on more importance, with Trudeau promising to develop a national pharmacare program. Instead it will be Patty Hajdu, previously labour minister, who shepherds that process.

Cabinet rookies

There are seven newcomers to this cabinet, and the two newly-elected MPs Anita Anand and Steven Guilbeault are also getting two of the toughest jobs.

Anand, a former law professor at the University of Toronto, is now the minister of public works and procurement. Its a complex job that doesnt get a lot of attention outside Ottawa until a major problem arises, such as the Phoenix pay system debacle or the troubled procurement of new fighter jets.

Guilbeault, a well-known environmentalist from Montreal, is taking on the heritage file, a sometimes precarious job for a Quebec politician just ask Mlanie Joly, who was earlier hounded out of that office largely over Qubcois concerns that Netflix got a sweetheart deal over local media production. Guilbeault is also now in charge of the controversial $595-million subsidy package for newspapers, better known as the media bailout.

Other cabinet rookies include Mona Fortier, who becomes minister of middle-class prosperity and associate finance minister; Marco Mendicino, who will be immigration minister; Marc Miller, the new minister of Indigenous services; Deb Schulte, the new minister of seniors; and Dan Vandal, who becomes minister of northern affairs.

Email: bplatt@postmedia.com | Twitter:

Listen to our news podcast, 10/3, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

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Who's up, who's down and who's new in Trudeau's expanded cabinet - National Post

Cyril Ramaphosa is going to be haunted by the phrase new dawn until he leaves office. The president has used the two-word term extensively since his appointment to the top job, but instead, his administration has been blighted by a series of dark mornings and never-ending nights. The fact that a cabinet reshuffle is allegedly in the works tells you everything you need to know about life in the ANC right now.

According to the Mail and Guardian, several key figures are convinced that Ramaphosa is ready to shuffle his pack, and there could be some high-profile casualties. Were taking a quick look at who may be in the firing line, and where the president wants to put them instead.

This would mark a thinly-veiled demotion for Sisulu, and shoud this go ahead, it would be a damning statement on Cyrils faith in her to solve the water crises currently plaguing South Africa. Once on Ramaphosas slate for the 2017 ANC leadership battle, the minister doesnt enjoy the same cosy relationship with CR any more.

Lindiwe Sisulu still harbours leadership ambitions, and apparently, that doesnt sit too well with the presidents inner circle. Plus, her decision to give the disgraced Bathabile Dlamini a route back into frontline ANC business hasnt endeared her to many. Dlamini, who was made chair of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority this week, is largely blamed for crippling SASSA and the social benefits network.

The KZN ANC stalwart would be tasked with regulating South Africas intelligence unit if the cabinet reshuffle rumours are to be believed. He was appointed to the role shortly after the 2019 Elections concluded, but it looks like he could be on the move again, giving up his office for Sisulu and replacing Ayanda Dlodlo.

And thus, our circle is complete. Dlodlo is being lined up to take Sisulus job. It would seem that, despite retaining both politicians in his cabinet, Ramaphosa is attempting to consolidate his party power.

It would be remiss to complete this list without mentioning the tragic death of former Deputy Minister of Energy Bavelile Hlongwa. She lost her life in a motor vehicle accident back in September, and the president is set to pick her replacement soon. Ramaphosas spokesperson says she expects any cabinet reshuffle would only take place when the new deputy minister is chosen.

Read more:
Cabinet reshuffle rumours: Three ministers who may be on the move - The South African

Local Conservative MP Cathy McLeod and Thompson River University political scientist Derek Cook agree the new federal cabinet unveiled this week will have its challenges.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a larger cabinet that aims to advance Liberal campaign promises to tackle climate change and promote middle-class prosperity, while attempting to soothe regional tensions worsened by last months minority government election outcome.

Following the Oct. 21 election, Trudeau said Canadians voted to pull together the country, to focus on issues of economic growth for the middle class, to fight climate change and to keep Canadians and their communities safe.

That is our focus and this is the team to do that, Trudeau said on Wednesday, flanked by his 36 ministers outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

McLeod said there are many critical issues that will need to be top priorities for cabinet, with the Canadian National Railway strike at the forefront of Labour Minister Filomena Tassis agenda.

For B.C., McLeod stressed the need to renew the softwood lumber agreement with the U.S.

Cook views Catherine McKennas shuffle from Environment and Climate Change to Infrastructure and Communities as a move to an important portfolio that can impact her previous role.

If we want to do something about climate change, we have to put in infrastructural investments, Cook said, adding people need to be given an alternative to working in the fossil-fuel industry.

He said there is plenty of work in a green economy, in which infrastructure plays a big role.

North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson is McKennas replacement as environment minister, moving over from his last position as minister of fisheries and oceans.

Cook said the appointment is a smart move politically, but noted a conflict is inevitable for Wilkinson in that role as he represents a constituency that is has concerns about the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which the government is committed to completing.

His job will be to convince B.C.ers to support the pipeline or to at least stand aside, Cook said.

Wilkinson and three other Vancouver-area Liberal MPs were retained in Trudeaus cabinet and McLeod hopes they will be advocates for the forestry industry in B.C. regardless of their portfolios.

Harjit Sajjan (Vancouver South) remains minister of national defence, Joyce Murray(Vancouver Quadra) moves from president of the treasury board and minister of digital government to minister for digital government and Carla Qualtrough (Delta) is now minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, transferring from minister of public service.

Among the biggest moves, former foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland was replaced by former infrastructure minister Franois-Philippe Champagne, a move Cook views as an upgrade.

The person whos taking over for her is basically a trade expert and, if you want to do well economically, then international trade is important, he said.

Freeland was promoted to deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs.

In her new role, Freeland will be the point person dealing with provincial leaders and is also the first deputy prime minister the country has had in more than a decade.

McLeod believes Freeland has been given a tough task, describing the deputy prime minister role with a focus on intergovernmental relations as a necessary portfolio.

Cook said Freeland will have a lot of work to do when it comes to dealing with the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan, where the Liberals were shut out in the election.

Theyre simply offside on the Liberal agenda and I dont see what could be done to bring them back, Cook said.

The Toronto MP, who has roots in Alberta, won praise as a tough, canny negotiator during the NAFTA trade talks. Her diplomatic and negotiating skills will be put to the test in dealing with Albertas Jason Kenney, Saskatchewans Scott Moe and Ontarios Doug Ford.

McLeod noted Canadian unity, the rise of the Bloq Quebecois and challenges facing Alberta and Saskatchewan are among the other issues Trudeaus minority government will have to address.

McLeod was most recently the Conservative Indigenous Affairs critic. The party will be confirming its new shadow cabinet to be named before Parliament resumes on Dec. 5.

McLeod said she does not know if she will retain the critic portfolio.

I havent had any conversations with him, she said of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.

Cook said the chairs of cabinet committees, where decisions are typically made, will be telling of who has power in the new cabinet.

Those are the people you write to if you want to lobby the cabinet, he said.

with files from Canadian Press

Chrystia Freelandbecomes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Anita Anandbecomes Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Navdeep Bainsbecomes Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Carolyn Bennettremains Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Marie-Claude Bibeauremains Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Bill Blairbecomes Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Bardish Chaggerbecomes Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth

Franois-Philippe Champagnebecomes Minister of Foreign Affairs

Jean-Yves Duclosbecomes President of the Treasury Board

Mona Fortierbecomes Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance

Marc Garneauremains Minister of Transport

Karina Gouldbecomes Minister of International Development

Steven Guilbeaultbecomes Minister of Canadian Heritage

Patty Hajdubecomes Minister of Health

Ahmed Hussenbecomes Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Mlanie Jolybecomes Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages

Bernadette Jordanbecomes Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

David Lamettiremains Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Dominic LeBlancbecomes President of the Queens Privy Council for Canada

Diane Lebouthillierremains Minister of National Revenue

Lawrence MacAulayremains Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Catherine McKennabecomes Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Marco E. L. Mendicinobecomes Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Marc Millerbecomes Minister of Indigenous Services

Maryam Monsefbecomes Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

Bill Morneauremains Minister of Finance

Joyce Murraybecomes Minister of Digital Government

Mary Ngbecomes Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

Seamus OReganbecomes Minister of Natural Resources

Carla Qualtroughbecomes Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

Pablo Rodriguezbecomes Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Harjit Sajjanremains Minister of National Defence

Deb Schultebecomes Minister of Seniors

Filomena Tassibecomes Minister of Labour

Dan Vandalbecomes Minister of Northern Affairs

Jonathan Wilkinsonbecomes Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Cabinet Committee on Agenda, Results and Communications

Cabinet Committee on Operations

Cabinet Committee on Global Affairs and Public Security

Cabinet Committee on Reconciliation

Cabinet Committee on Economy and the Environment

Cabinet Committee on Health and Social Affairs

Treasury Board

Incident Response Group

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Peering into the new Trudeau cabinet - Kamloops This Week