Ottawa Liberal MPs could be included in new Trudeau cabinet

The pool of incoming Liberal MPs from which Justin Trudeau has to draw his cabinet is being called an embarrassment of riches, and some Ottawa-area MPs could be on the shortlist.

The Liberals worked diligently to recruit strong candidates, in some cases hand-picked by Trudeau himself. That led to controversy and complaints in some ridings including the Ottawa area riding of Orleans.

Many of those incoming MPs will be hoping for a spot around the cabinet table but according to Carleton University public administration professor Robert Shepherd, some will be disappointed.

"It's an embarrassment of riches," said Shepherd. "He's also promised the cabinet will be smaller, it's going to have equal representation of men and women, it's going to be regionally balanced, but there's going to be lots of disappointed people who will not be part of that cabinet."

McGuinty, McKenna, McKrimmon and Leslie potential ministers

Shepherd said there are some strong cabinet candidates in the Ottawa area including David McGuinty.

Ottawa South Liberal incumbent, McGuinty, has worked as an international development lawyer overseas and has spent the past decade in government, most recently as the Liberal environment critic.

Shepherd notes there are also strong newcomers including Catherine McKenna in Ottawa Centre.

McKenna, an international trade lawyer, is a former legal advisor and negotiator for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in East Timor and has also advised Trudeau on foreign affairs matters.

The fact that Trudeau has promised a cabinet with gender equality could work in her favour, said Shepherd.

"I think it's an amazing commitment and I know my leader is very committed to it," said McKenna in regards to the number of women in cabinet but she said she's not been asked yet.

"I'm working hard now on my local priorities for Ottawa Centre, but I'll serve in any way I'm asked to serve," she said.  

Karen McCrimmon, who won the Liberal seat in Kanata-Carleton could also be a cabinet contender, according to Shepherd.  

McCrimmon is a retired lieutenant colonel who was Canada's first female base commander and she ran for the Liberal leadership against Trudeau in 2013.

Andrew Leslie, a retired lieutenant general was elected in Orleans, could also be on the shortlist according to Shepherd. Throughout the election campaign Leslie was called upon to comment on national military and veterans' issues.

"We're going to have a great caucus -- extraordinary talent that's present," said Leslie.

But when asked about a potential cabinet position, Leslie laughed. "I know you had to ask that, very good try. I'm focused right now on transitioning my office."

Shepherd says Trudeau and his transition team will have some big debates between now and Nov. 4, the day he is expected to announce his choices for cabinet.

"How do you balance all this great talent and get it into a smaller cabinet? I think he's going to be agonizing over that for a while," said Shepherd.