Canada's Trudeau to name Cabinet ministers Oct. 26

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will name his new Cabinet Oct. 26 and parliament will resume Nov. 22, the Prime Minister's Office announced Friday.

The moves follow the Liberal Party's election victory in September as Trudeau begins this third term as prime minister.

As expected, the battle against COVID-19 heads the list of priorities but so do others promised in his election campaign and endorsed by Canadians by way of his victory, Trudeau said.

"From finishing the fight against COVID-19 to getting the job done on $10-a-day child care for families across the country, Canadians chose to move forward in September," he said in a release from the Prime Minister's Office and obtained by Anadolu Agency.

"Together, we will keep working hard to beat this virus and get Canadians vaccinated, create jobs and grow the middle class, put home ownership back in reach, accelerate climate action, and take important steps forward on the path of reconciliation."

As the virus continues to plague Canadians, Trudeau said one of his first efforts will be to get all Members of Parliament (MPs) fully vaccinated. That could prove contentious since the Erin O'Toole, the leader of the official Opposition Progressive Conservative Party, has continued his stance being vaccinated should remain a personal choice. The other political parties have agreed with full vaccination.

"Among the first orders of business will be working with all parties to ensure all Members of Parliament in the House of Commons are fully vaccinated against COVID-19," the release said. "Canadians expect their elected representatives to lead by example in the fight against this virus, and the Prime Minister will be raising this with other leaders."

"The government will also deliver on its commitments to establish a standardized proof of vaccination for Canadians travelling internationally while supporting provincial and territorial proof-of-vaccination programs, and introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to harass or threaten health-care workers," the release said.

As for the Cabinet appointments, there were 36 ministers before the last election and the number could change when Trudeau names the new members Oct. 26. However, it has already been announced that Chrystia Freeland will continue as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.