Prime Minister Mark Carney shakes hands with Joël Lightbound after he becomes Quebec lieutenant, while Marc Miller, the new minister for Canadian identity and culture and official languages, watches during Monday’s swearing-in ceremony. The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney adjusted his cabinet on Monday and brought a familiar face back to the front bench. Marc Miller returned to government with a new role, while two other ministers took on extra duties. The changes follow the resignation of Steven Guilbeault, who stepped down last week.
Miller Returns With New Portfolio
Marc Miller now serves as minister of Canadian identity and culture and minister responsible for official languages. Miller held several major posts under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including immigration and Indigenous services. Carney did not include him in the cabinet after taking office, which left Miller waiting on the sidelines.
Miller looked upbeat after the swearing-in ceremony. “It feels great, I’m a guy that likes to be busy and so I was a little restless. But it’s nice to get the opportunity to keep on doing some amazing work,” he said.
Lightbound Gains Key Quebec Role
Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound gained an important new responsibility. Carney named him the federal government’s Quebec lieutenant. Lightbound entered cabinet only after the April election, following years as a parliamentary secretary.
He welcomed the added duties. “It’s an important role in federal politics and in Quebec politics — and I look forward to getting to it,” Lightbound said. He also praised Guilbeault and said he hoped to learn from him.
Dabrusin Adds Parks and Nature
Julie Dabrusin, minister of environment and climate change, now oversees parks and nature. She took on this work after Guilbeault left cabinet. Dabrusin served as a parliamentary secretary during the Trudeau years and earned her cabinet seat under Carney earlier this year.
Guilbeault’s Exit Sparks Questions
Steven Guilbeault’s resignation came soon after Ottawa signed a memorandum of understanding with Alberta. The agreement clears a path for a new bitumen pipeline to the B.C. coast. It also requires Ottawa to suspend its planned oil and gas emissions cap and remove Alberta’s clean electricity obligations.
Guilbeault wrote that key parts of his climate plan were being dismantled. He said that these actions forced him to reconsider his place in cabinet. He remains a Liberal MP.
Miller Stands by Carney
Reporters asked Miller if Guilbeault’s exit could create tension inside the Liberal caucus. Miller dismissed the concern. “Mark Carney helped us win an election that I think a lot of the pollsters had us losing — we do owe him a lot,” he said.
Carney’s Second Cabinet Shuffle
This marks Carney’s second major cabinet change since taking office. In September, Chrystia Freeland left her cabinet role and later signalled her plans to leave federal politics. Carney reassigned her files to other ministers. Freeland, who once held key portfolios under Trudeau, also ran against Carney for the Liberal leadership and finished far behind him.
Monday’s appointments show Carney’s effort to steady his team and fill the gaps left by recent departures. The prime minister now moves forward with a reshaped cabinet as he prepares for the next phase of his mandate.
