Carney cabinet shuffle: Chrystia Freeland stays on as Transport Minister

Following the Liberal Party's victory in the April 28 national election, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made changes to Canada's cabinet, though the role of transport minister remains one of the few positions left untouched.

Chrystia Freeland, who was Carney’s competitor in the Liberal leadership race, continues in her role as transport minister, a position she took on in March.

As the new cabinet was sworn in Tuesday (May 13), she also assumed the additional responsibility of minister of internal trade.

READ MORE: Is Carney the right choice for the travel industry? Travel pros sound off

She is one of only five ministers to keep their previous roles, though several of those positions have been modified to some extent.

Overall, Carney has trimmed the cabinet down from 39 to 28 positions, along with 10 secretaries of state—officials who aren’t full cabinet members but are tasked with specific duties.

One key change: Anita Anand, who previously served as transport minister before Freeland, has been appointed as foreign affairs minister, as outlined in this CBC News report. 

Pilot input 

In a statement, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) Canada said it looks forward to working with Minister Freeland, along with Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu, and Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli.

“As a trusted stakeholder in aviation safety, ALPA Canada provides a unique perspective on the impact of government policy and the issues facing Canada’s airline industry," said Captain Tim Perry, president of ALPA Canada, in a press release. 

“One issue in particular that has the attention of our members is any possible exemption to the FTDT rules. In response, our message is clear: We vehemently oppose any attempt by commercial operators to weaken or suspend pilot fatigue regulations.

“We also look forward to having engagement with Secretary Zerucelli on safeguarding the collective bargaining process and preventing government intervention into it," he said. 

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