Desi Today Magazine
AS had been reported in various media on Monday evening, Navdeep Bains, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, quit the Trudeau cabinet as he does not intend to run in the next election, expected in the spring.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday thanked Bains for his friendship, support, and counsel over their many years working together in Parliament. He also thanked Bains for his dedication over the last five years as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
The Prime Minister’s Office noted in a statement that during this time, Bains launched a new national space strategy and created the Strategic Innovation Fund to attract and support business investments across all sectors of the economy. More recently, he played a central role in Canada’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic by leading Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19, and overseeing the creation of the COVID-19 immunity, vaccine, and therapeutics task forces.
Trudeau also tweeted: “Over the last 5 years, @NavdeepSBains has been an integral part of our team. He’s worked tirelessly to create more opportunities for Canadians and will be missed at the Cabinet table. Nav, thank you for your friendship and everything you’ve done to help build a better Canada.”
Bains has been the MP for Mississauga—Malton since 2015, and was previously the MP for Mississauga—Brampton South from 2004 to 2011
Before entering politics, Bains was a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School, and worked for several years in accounting and financial analysis for the Ford Motor Company of Canada.
Bains holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance.
The Globe and Mail reported that an insider told the newspaper that Trudeau was taken aback by Bains’ decision. Bains told Trudeau that his wife wanted to get back to work and he wanted to spend more time with his daughters who are becoming teenagers.
Former Ontario premier and former interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Bob Rae, tweeted: “Want to thank @NavdeepSBains for his service. I drove with him through a snow storm from Ottawa to Brampton so he could be there for the birth of his first daughter. And being a Dad is Job 1. I left politics at the same time in our family’s life and it felt right at the time.”
Trudeau announced the following changes to the ministry:
* François-Philippe Champagne, currently Minister of Foreign Affairs, becomes Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
* Marc Garneau, currently Minister of Transport, becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs.
* Omar Alghabra, currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Public Service Renewal) and to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, becomes Minister of Transport.
* Jim Carr joins the ministry and will continue to serve as Special Representative for the Prairies. Carr was previously Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of International Trade Diversification.
