Sean Fraser to leave federal cabinet as PMO pushes to add Mark Carney

Housing Minister Sean Fraser to Step Down from Cabinet and Not Seek Re-Election

In a surprising turn of events, Housing Minister Sean Fraser is set to announce on Monday that he will not seek re-election in his Nova Scotia riding and will be leaving the federal cabinet during the upcoming shuffle. Sources indicate that the cabinet shuffle could take place as early as Wednesday.

The decision to change up Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s inner circle before the Christmas holidays comes as the PM and his senior advisers make a renewed effort to persuade former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to join the cabinet. While Carney has shown more openness to the idea than in the past, it is still not a done deal.

Fraser, who is widely regarded as one of the Liberals’ best communicators, has been handling the crucial housing file. His departure is said to be motivated by family reasons, as the demands of his portfolio make it challenging to spend time in his rural Nova Scotia riding with his wife and young children.

It is important to note that Fraser’s decision to step down is unrelated to the efforts to bring Carney into the fold. His exit adds to the need for Trudeau to bring in fresh faces to his cabinet, as several other ministers have already announced that they will not seek re-election.

The departure of ministers such as Marie-Claude Bibeau, Carla Qualtrough, Filomena Tassi, and Dan Vandal, along with the resignation of former Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, has created several vacancies in the cabinet. This provides an opportunity for Trudeau to inject new talent into his team, including the much sought-after Carney.

While Carney has been linked to the possibility of joining the cabinet or even running for Liberal leader, he has so far turned down such offers. Discussions have also taken place regarding the establishment of a U.S.-Canada council to address issues related to the incoming Trump administration.

The urgency to refresh the cabinet stems not only from the need to replace outgoing ministers but also to address the challenges posed by the return of President Trump to the White House. Trump’s threats of tariffs and demands for border security measures have put pressure on the Canadian government to act swiftly.

As Fraser prepares to make his announcement, there is speculation that he may consider a move to provincial politics in the future. The Nova Scotia Liberal Party, which suffered losses in the recent provincial election, could potentially benefit from Fraser’s experience and leadership.

Overall, the upcoming cabinet shuffle presents an opportunity for Trudeau to revitalize his team and prepare for the challenges ahead. The addition of new faces, including the potential inclusion of Mark Carney, could bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the government’s decision-making process.