Bennett, Philpott tag team Indigenous file as feds look to dissolve department
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he is preparing for a significant shift in his government’s handling of the Indigenous Affairs file — a plan designed to lead to the dissolution of the department itself.
As part of a small cabinet shuffle Monday, Trudeau announced that Carolyn Bennett — the minister in charge of the Indigenous Affairs Department since the fall of 2015 — will tag team efforts on the complex file along with former health minister Jane Philpott.
Bennett’s focus will be on the Crown’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples — a key priority for the Trudeau government since coming to power — while Philpott will tackle Indigenous services, including the need to address long-term boil water advisories, First Nations education and housing.
The eventual creation of two separate ministries to replace the existing department will involve legislation, Trudeau said, noting Bennett’s work over the last two years has brought his government to the point where it can explore changes.