Rodriguez Appointed as Canada’s Minister of Transport

Rodriguez takes over from Omar Alghabra, who has served as Transport Minister since 2021.

Pablo Rodriguez has been sworn in as Canada’s new Transport Minister, part of a major cabinet shakeup announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 26.

Rodriguez leaves his spot atop the Heritage Department and takes over from Omar Alghabra, who has served as Transport Minister since 2021.

Alghabra announced July 25 via a Twitter post that he had decided not to run in the next election and would be stepping down from the cabinet.

According to a Canadian Press report, Rodriguez will “take over on top-line items, including nascent plans for a high-frequency railway between Toronto and Quebec City, ongoing supply chain hitches and infrastructure vulnerable to natural disasters amid increasingly extreme weather.”

Rodriguez, a Montreal Member of Parliament first elected in 2004 and the Liberals’ current Quebec Lieutenant, took the oath of office along with 37 other cabinet members Wednesday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, according to the Canadian Press report.

Rodriguez, who has served in cabinet since 2019 when he became government house leader, will continue to serve as Quebec Lieutenant.

Rodriquez, who has a professional background in communications and cleantech holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Université de Sherbrooke.

“Congratulations Pablo Rodriguez on your appointment as Minister of Transport,” CPKC wrote in a LinkedIn post. “CPKC’s rail network is the backbone of the Canadian economy. We look forward to working with you as we safely and efficiently connect Canadian goods and consumers with international markets.”

“We are ready to keep delivering on the things that matter most to you—making life more affordable, growing the economy, and creating good jobs for the middle class,” said Trudeau. “We have the right team, made up of accomplished people who reflect the diversity and talent of our country. Together, we will keep building a strong future for the middle class, and for all Canadians.”

Additional changes to the Ministry can be found here.