Former Justice Minister David Lametti is set to step down from his role as principal secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, according to sources familiar with the matter. There are indications that Lametti is being considered for a diplomatic assignment, potentially taking over from Bob Rae, the current ambassador to the United Nations.
Lametti, who was a hockey teammate of Prime Minister Carney at the University of Oxford, revealed his appointment in July through a social media post featuring a picture of himself with the prime minister. The position he holds is one of the highest-ranking roles in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and is crucial in managing Carney’s political and policy agenda. Lametti also provided advisory support during the recent federal election campaign.
He was brought in to replace Tom Pitfield, who had been serving as an interim principal secretary but has yet to leave the PMO. Lametti previously represented the Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun and served as justice minister under Justin Trudeau’s administration until his removal from the cabinet in 2023.
Multiple sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information disclosed that Lametti’s departure is imminent, though the PMO declined to comment on the matter. When questioned about a potential new role, Lametti refrained from providing any details.
This move would mark another ex-minister from the Trudeau era exiting the political stage, following former transport minister Chrystia Freeland’s recent departure from the cabinet. Carney announced that Freeland will assume the role of Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a newly established position. While she intends to retain her position as a Member of Parliament for now, sources suggest that her resignation from the seat is forthcoming.
In a bid to establish a distinct identity from the previous government and address criticism from the opposition attempting to draw parallels between Trudeau’s legacy and Carney’s leadership, the Carney administration is preparing for additional ministerial changes. According to reports, former defence minister Bill Blair is expected to be appointed as the high commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Sources also indicate that former energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson is under consideration for a diplomatic role in Europe, with ongoing discussions about the potential appointment. Both Blair and Wilkinson, who held significant positions in the Trudeau administration, were not included in Carney’s cabinet.
Blair emphasized his commitment to serving his community and the government when asked about a diplomatic assignment, while Wilkinson highlighted his current responsibilities in the House of Commons and his constituency. The timing for the public announcement of their appointments remains uncertain, but it may be influenced by the upcoming federal budget release on November 4 and subsequent crucial votes in the minority Parliament.