Could Trudeau’s cabinet choices create Liberal caucus frustrations?

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – We’ll soon find out who Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau has chosen for his first cabinet with a Liberal majority — and he has an abundance of talent to choose from.

But with several criteria for making it into his inner circle, experts say some MPs could be left feeling frustrated.

Trudeau will be balancing his promise of gender equality with regional diversity and a mix of experienced and new MPs to make his tough picks.

But Keith Brownsey, a political scientist with Mount Royal University, says that could lead to frustration if some big party names are left off the list.

“Many people who are left out who think they have the skill set to become a cabinet minister will be somewhat resentful,” he tells us.

“Obviously, it will be disappointing for them,” says Doreen Barrie, a political scientist with the University of Calgary. “There will be problems in caucus, perhaps.”

Barrie says snubbed MPs may still be rewarded with parliamentary secretary positions or become committee chairs, which may dissipate frustrations.

“You definitely have to be a team player and you have to remember your mother’s advice that what you want you don’t always get,” she notes.

But don’t expect any resentment or frustrations to go public.

Barrie points out Trudeau has been effective at keeping the party united and avoiding the infighting we’ve seen in the past. Brownsey adds if MPs ever want to make it to Cabinet, they’ll have to be quiet, be team players, and be patient.