Indo-Canadian Sikh Lawmaker Navdeep Bains Likely to Get Ministerial Berth

TORONTO:  Navdeep Bains, 38-year-old Indian-origin Canadian Sikh MP who played a key role in prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau‘s leadership bid in 2013, is likely to get a ministerial berth, Toronto Star reports. The Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau has chosen his cabinet and the members-to-be have been sworn to secrecy until the swearing-in on November 4.

Speculation is rife that Mr Bains, a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) from Mississauga city, may end up getting a ministry as Trudeau has already chosen ministers for his upcoming cabinet, according to The Star newspaper.

Mr Bains, who played a key role in Mr Trudeau’s leadership bid in 2013, is presently a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University – Ted Rogers School of Management and holds an MBA with a specialization in Finance.

As an MP for Mississauga-Brampton South from 2004 to 2011, Mr Bains also served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in 2005.

The Liberals won a majority government and 184 seats in the October 19 election.

According to The Star factors to select members for the cabinet included “the size of the cabinet, gender equality, ethnic diversity, regional distribution and a balance of new and veteran MPs, but leaning to young and new versus old and experienced.”

The cabinet is expected to have 28 members.

In contrast, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet had 39 ministers, including 26 senior ministers and 12 junior ministers of state.

The Star suggests the cabinet will have 10 members from Ontario, six from Quebec, five from Atlantic Canada, three from B.C. and one each from Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan and one representing the three northern territories.

According to The Star:

* Ralph Goodale is expected to be announced as deputy prime minister and House leader.

* Scott Brison is expected to become finance minister.

* Stéphane Dion, former Liberal party leader, is expected be named environment minister.

* Chrystia Freeland (Toronto) could be foreign affairs or international trade minister. Marc Garneau could also be chosen foreign affairs minister.
Mr Trudeau’s first big international test will come at the UN climate change conference in Paris from November 30 to December 11.

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