Housing Minister Sean Fraser will not stand in the next federal election, according to a senior government official, adding to a growing list of cabinet ministers leaving federal politics.
The official, who is not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said Fraser is not seeking re-election for family reasons.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to chair a cabinet meeting on Monday.
Fraser, who was a frequent target of conservative attacks over the government’s handling of immigration and housing files, was considered a strong communicator and rising star for the Liberals.
He is expected to address his decision not to seek re-election on Monday.
Fraser was recently asked if he is planning a run to lead the Nova Scotia Liberals after the party was decimated in last month’s provincial election, retaining just two seats, the minimum number required to maintain official party status. .
“I’m not making any plans. “I have a job to do here and I am focused on doing it well,” Fraser said on Nov. 27.
Get daily national news
Get the day’s top news, political, economic and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day.
Fraser was first elected as a Nova Scotia Liberal MP representing Central Nova in 2015 and quickly rose through the cabinet ranks.
He held several parliamentary secretary positions before being appointed Immigration Minister in 2021.
While in that position, the government significantly increased its immigration goals, relaxed the rules of the temporary foreign worker program and granted entry to an increasing number of international students.
Political pressure eventually pushed the government to reverse many of those policies, as critics raised concerns that high population growth was eroding housing affordability and putting pressure on services.
Fraser was elected to the housing docket two years later, as the Liberals worked to address a national housing crisis, an issue that had become a major policy responsibility for the government.
Rumors have circulated in Parliament that a cabinet change will soon take place to fill several vacancies and replace Liberal ministers who are not seeking re-election.
Filomena Tassi, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal, Minister of Sports Carla Qualtrough and Minister of National Revenue Marie-Claude Bibeau have announced that they will not seek re-election.
Pablo Rodríguez left his position as Minister of Transportation and member of the Liberal caucus in September to run for Quebec’s Liberal leadership.
Randy Boissonnault left his post as employment minister last month after weeks of questions about the Edmonton MP’s shifting claims about Indigenous identity and his businesses.
The next federal election is expected to be held in October 2025.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
