Carney to hand out cushy diplomatic posts to former Trudeau ministers

Prime Minister Mark Carney is handing out cushy international assignments in Europe to senior Liberals who served as ministers under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Source: Facebook

Prime Minister Mark Carney is handing out cushy international assignments in Europe to senior Liberals who served as ministers under former prime minister Justin Trudeau as his government continues to see high-profile departures.

David Lametti, a former federal justice minister and one of Carney’s top advisers, is expected to leave his role as principal secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office just months after taking the job, CBC News reports.

Reports also indicate that Lametti, who played hockey with Carney at Oxford, is a contender to replace Bob Rae as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations.

Lametti’s exit follows Tuesday’s announcement that Chrystia Freeland, another long-time Trudeau insider, is stepping down as transport minister to become Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a new diplomatic role created by Carney.

Freeland served nearly a decade in senior cabinet posts under Trudeau, including as deputy prime minister. Other Trudeau-era ministers are also reportedly in line for prestigious foreign assignments.

The Globe and Mail reported former defence minister Bill Blair is set to become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, while former energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson is being considered for a European posting.

Both were left out of Carney’s cabinet when he succeeded Trudeau six months ago.

The Toronto Star reports that federal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, who finished second to Bonnie Crombie in the 2023 Ontario Liberal leadership race, is seen as a strong candidate to succeed her after her weekend resignation.