MaryAnn Mihychuk disappointed by removal from cabinet

MaryAnn Mihychuk, Liberal member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul, says she's disappointed she lost her role as a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau'scabinet.

She had served as minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour since November2015 a positionshe was removed from in Tuesday's cabinet shuffle.

"I'm of course disappointed,"Mihychuksaid outside her Winnipeg office on Tuesday. "I've always been a strong advocate as a feminist, as a person who fights for jobs and I'll continue to do that."

Mihychuk's departure leaves just one Manitobanin cabinet, Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr, who will stay on as natural resources minister.

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Thunder Bay-Superior NorthMPPatty Hajdu will move from the status of women portfolio to replace Mihychukas labour minister.

Mihychuk said she wishesHajdu the best of luck with her new role.

MaryAnn Mihychuk on her removal from cabinet

8 years ago

Duration 1:12

MaryAnn Mihychuk, Liberal member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul, says she's disappointed she lost her role as a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet.

"It's a wonderful portfolio with a lot of challenges," she said.

Under her leadership as labour minister, Mihychuk saidCanada joined an international commitment to ban child labour, set up a structure to protect the rights of temporary foreign workers and brought in pay equity rules.

"Finally, after 40 years, so that women workers will get the same pay as men,"Mihychuksaid.

'Time for a refresh'

Tuesday's shuffle reflects the fact many Liberal caucus members have assets to bring to cabinet, saidMihychuk.

It's also partly about readying Canada for a Donald Trump presidency, she said.

"It's a new chapter with the Trump administration and I think it was time for a refresh."

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While Mihychuk lost a seat in cabinet and the privileges that come with that, she said there are other benefits which come with acting solely as a member of Parliament.

"There's roles you can play in cabinet and there's roles you can play as a caucus member," she said. "I'm going to be very proud and you can be sure that I'll fight for Manitoba right to the end."

As for priorities, Mihychuk said she will advocate for more jobs and better infrastructure in Winnipeg's North End.

"For me it's another chapter," she said. "I've always looked at change positively."

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