Former Justice Minister David Lametti will be leaving his job as principal secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney after just a couple of months on the job, sources tell CBC News.
Lametti, who played hockey alongside Carney at the University of Oxford, announced his appointment in July with a photo of himself with the prime minister posted on social media.
The position is one of the most senior in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), considered key in handling Carney’s political and policy agenda. Lametti also served as an adviser during the federal election campaign.
He was hired to replace Tom Pitfield, who had been filling in on an interim basis but has not yet left the PMO.
Lametti previously represented the Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun and served as justice minister in Justin Trudeau’s government until he was dropped from cabinet in 2023.
Five sources spoke to CBC News on the condition of confidentiality because they were not authorized to discuss the internal workings of the government.
Three sources say Lametti is a contender for a diplomatic posting.
The PMO did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
When asked whether he was departing and possibly taking on a new role, Lametti replied “no comment.”
His departure would mark another former Trudeau-era minister leaving the political arena, following former transport minister Chrystia Freeland’s departure from cabinet on Tuesday.
Carney announced on Tuesday that Freeland will be Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a new role created by the prime minister. Freeland held prominent roles in cabinet for a decade, including deputy prime minister.
While she is staying on as an MP for now, she is expected to resign her seat. Sources with knowledge of the decision say the timing has not yet been chosen.
Two other former cabinet ministers are set to depart in the coming months, as the Carney government seeks to define itself separately from the previous government and dispel criticism from the Opposition seeking to link Trudeau’s record to Carney.
As was first reported by the Globe and Mail, former defence minister Bill Blair is set to be appointed high commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Sources say former energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson is being considered for a European diplomatic posting, and that there have been discussions involving the former minister.
Both MPs, who occupied high-profile positions in the Trudeau government, were left out of Carney’s cabinet.
“Right now I’m focused entirely on working and serving my community and this government,” said Blair when asked about a potential diplomatic posting on Wednesday.
In a written statement, Wilkinson also said he is “busy with duties in the House of Commons and [his] constituency this fall.”
It’s unclear when their appointments will be made public, but with the federal budget now timed for Nov. 4, and key votes set to happen after, the timing could hinge on ensuring the Liberals have as many votes as possible in a minority Parliament.
