Ottawa MP Mona Fortier appointed chief government whip

President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, April 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier has been appointed as chief government whip, the latest addition in a major reshuffle of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet.

The prime minister's office made the announcement on Saturday. Fortier replaces Ruby Sahota, who was appointed as minister for democratic institutions and as minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario in the new cabinet.

Among other things, the chief whip monitors attendance in the House of Commons, organizes speaking lists for debates, allocates members' offices and ensures the caucus is ready for votes.

"Mona Fortier is an experienced leader with a keen understanding of the issues that matter most to Canadians and the values that guide our work in their service. I know she will continue to be a great asset in this new role, as we work together to build a better Canada for everyone," Trudeau said in news release.

Fortier was first elected in 2017 and has been re-elected twice, serving in several cabinet positions.

She previously served as president of the Treasury Board, minister of middle class prosperity and associate minister of finance. She had been serving as deputy whip since January.

Fortier previously worked as chief director of communications at Collège La Cité and managed her own strategic communications-consulting firm.

Ottawa South MP David McGuinty was also named minister of public safety in Trudeau's new cabinet this week. McGuinty was first elected in 2004 and has been elected in the riding six times.

McGuinty most recently served as chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.

The changes to Trudeau's ministerial roster come after a tumultuous week for the federal Liberals. The prime minister was dealt a major blow from the resignation of former Finance Minster Chrystia Freeland on Monday.

Losing his deputy and the chaotic rollout of his government's fall economic statement has revived questions about the viability of the embattled prime minister's continued leadership.

With files from CTV National News