Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O’Regan to Step Down, Won’t Run In Next Election

Minister of Labour and Seniors, Seamus O’Regan, has announced his resignation from the Trudeau cabinet, effective Friday, prompting an imminent one-person cabinet shuffle.

O’Regan shared his decision on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, stating he will not seek re-election but plans to continue serving as MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl until the next general election. The minister cited personal reasons for his departure, without delving into specifics.

“These were difficult decisions,” O’Regan wrote. “Being chosen as MP in three elections over nine years by the people of this riding has been a great honour. But, ultimately, my family comes first. I need to be a better husband, son, uncle, and friend, and this job means, and deserves, a lot of time in order to do it well.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed O’Regan’s departure in a separate statement, expressing his “sincere thanks” for O’Regan’s “exceptional leadership and dedication to making life better for Canadians, including for unions, workers and organized labour.” Trudeau also announced that the new Minister of Labour and Seniors would be sworn in at Rideau Hall on Friday. The French version of his statement hinted that the new minister would be male.

A potential candidate for the position is Steven MacKinnon, who has been serving as Government House Leader during Karina Gould’s maternity leave. With Gould set to resume her duties, MacKinnon might be reassigned to a new portfolio.

O’Regan, a close ally of Trudeau, first won his seat in St. John’s South-Mount Pearl in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He joined the cabinet in 2017 as Minister of Veterans Affairs and has since held several significant portfolios, including Indigenous Affairs, Natural Resources, Labour, and Seniors.

In his current role, O’Regan managed multiple labour disputes and successfully passed a bill banning replacement workers in the House of Commons. Despite his achievements, he faced criticism for a WestJet strike earlier this summer that disrupted travel plans for many Canadians.

Reflecting on his tenure, O’Regan expressed pride in the Liberal government’s achievements and his contributions to both the country and his home province. He praised Trudeau, stating he believes the Prime Minister will be remembered as “one of the most consequential and important leaders in our country’s history.”

“His strength, endurance and vision are unmatched, and they will see us through the next election,” O’Regan added.

O’Regan’s departure, however, might lead to further questions regarding the state of the Liberal Party. The announcement comes amid the Liberals’ struggles, following a recent byelection defeat in a traditionally safe Toronto seat and their current position trailing 20 points behind the Conservatives in the polls.

Speculation about a larger cabinet shuffle has been rife, especially with reports of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland facing internal criticism for not effectively communicating the government’s economic message. Nonetheless, Freeland has affirmed her confidence in her role.

Meanwhile, Trudeau has been reportedly courting former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney for years to join his team. However, it remains uncertain if Carney would leave his lucrative career to join a party potentially facing defeat within the next 18 months.