Image Credit: Adam Scotti (PMO)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

FEDERAL POLITICS

Expected federal cabinet shuffle spurs discussion around need for government stability

Dec 19, 2024 | 5:04 PM

KAMLOOPS — News of a changing federal cabinet is drawing interest across the country and a former Liberal party candidate whose campaign brought the prime minister to Kamloops several times says it looks like a bigger change may be needed.

With this week’s display of disarray from the federal Liberals, Terry Lake, who ran under the Liberal banner in 2019, says caucus needs to minimize the damage it could take at the polls.

“It’s one thing to lose, but if you’re like the Conservatives at one point, or the NDP provincially at one point, you’re not only going to lose the house, you’re going to lose the furniture as well,” says Lake.

Talk of a Friday cabinet shuffle may see interesting shifts with ministerial files but Lake figures it won’t turn the tides.

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“We’re talking about ten new cabinet switches, but you know, I mean I hate to use the old cliche, but it’s like shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic. It’s not going to make a difference,” notes Lake. “Mark Carney doesn’t appear to be coming aboard to save anybody and I think it’s just prolonging the inevitable, which is an election this spring.”

From a political science perspective, TRU Professor Robert Hanlon says reaching some semblance of governing stability needs to happen soon, given the upcoming changeover in American leadership.

“This is something that’s got to be dealt with quite quickly moving forward. Whether there’s a leadership change or whether there is a call for an election, something has to happen to restore voter confidence,” he explains.

Hanlon adds the prime minister will also need to navigate the threat of the United State potentially imposing 25 per cent tariffs on goods from Canada.

“It’s a negotiation tactic and finding ways to come to the negotiation table in a strong position requires a strong government,” says Hanlon. “How are we going to be able to do that if, again, every party in the country other than the Liberals, is calling for the resignation of the prime minister?”

And from Lake’s view, with its current figurehead, the odds of the sitting government getting re-elected aren’t high.

“I think to clear the way for a new leader to have a chance to revive the effort of the Liberal party would make sense. Because right now, if it’s Justin Trudeau, the only ballot question is Justin Trudeau. If you have a new leader, you actually might have some policy discussions that would create, I think, a better campaign,” adds Lake.