Trudeau’s transport minister steps down ahead of cabinet shuffle

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said he’s decided not to run in Canada’s next election and will be stepping aside from cabinet as a result.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to shuffle his front bench as soon as Wednesday and ministers who aren’t planning to run in the election, expected in the next two years, are set to resign from their roles.

Carolyn Bennett, a veteran lawmaker who was minister of mental health and addictions, and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek have also announced they won’t seek reelection.

Alghabra has been transport minister since January 2021, helping to lead the government’s response to Covid-19 at airports as well as a period of chaotic lineups and delays when Canadians resumed traveling regularly.

He said in a brief video statement posted to social media Tuesday that he was proud to have worked on reforming Canada’s aviation sector during an “extraordinary time” by enhancing transparency and accountability.

Trudeau’s looming cabinet shakeup comes as a pileup of political controversies and the rising cost of living make him vulnerable to attacks by his main opposition rival.