The new federal Minister of Finance, Dominic LeBlanc, says that former Governor of the Bank of Canada Mark Carney will not join the Council of Ministers of Justin Trudeau’s government for the moment.
When the Prime Minister asked me to be Minister of Finance, he told me that Mr. Carney will not be Minister of Finance.
The member for Beauséjour made this statement during an interview on the show The morning from ICI Acadie on Thursday.
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Minister Dominic LeBlanc in an interview with - Acadie.
Photo : - / Patrick Lacelle
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desire to replace his previous Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, with Mark Carney was revealed by the daily The Globe and Mail on December 12.
In a resignation letter sent to the Prime Minister on Monday, Chrystia Freeland mentioned Justin Trudeau’s proposal to remove the Finance portfolio from her and entrust him with the management of Canadian-American relations.
Dominic LeBlanc explains that Justin Trudeau told him that he had discussions with Mark Carney.
Then at the end of the week, I was told that the answer was no for his entry
he said.
Reshuffle in sight
Justin Trudeau could reshuffle his cabinet before the holidays. Dominic LeBlanc will retain his ministries of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs.
On the other hand, he explains that one of his colleagues will likely take over at Public Security, even if Dominic LeBlanc should retain responsibilities for the security issue at the border with the United States.
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Dominic LeBlanc accompanied Justin Trudeau to Mar-a-Lago to meet President-elect Donald Trump.
Photo : Dave McCormick
I’m going to keep a leadership role on border security issues, because it’s so tied to the demands of the Trump administration as well
explains the one who participated last month in a meeting with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago.
Dominic LeBlanc presented a $1.3 billion plan on Tuesday to strengthen border security.
Still behind Justin Trudeau
Four of the six federal Liberal MPs from New Brunswick — René Arseneault, Jenica Atwin, Wayne Long and Serge Cormier — have been calling for the departure of their leader since Monday.
Despite everything, Dominic LeBlanc reiterates that he remains loyal to Justin Trudeau.
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Dominic LeBlanc was sworn in as Minister of Finance at Rideau Hall on Monday, December 16, 2024, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Justin Tang
I think that if the Prime Minister still has the desire to lead the party in the next campaign, I will support him. There should be no confusion about this
he declares.
Son of former minister Roméo LeBlanc in the government of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Dominic LeBlanc has a friendship dating back to childhood with the Prime Minister.
No rebate to provinces for HST
The new Minister of Finance also indicated in an interview that he would not reimburse provinces like New Brunswick which lose out due to the temporary holiday of GST and HST on several products and services.
Five provinces levy the HST, which combines provincial and federal taxes on goods and services. Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador confirmed the suspension and supported the initiative.
The maritime provinces expressed their disagreement. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt estimates losses at nearly $70 million.
But Dominic LeBlanc repeats that no checks will be sent to the provinces to cover the bill.
There are several ways to contribute financially to the priorities of the provincial government that we share. But there will be no refund
he confirms.
With information from the show La matinale from ICI Acadie