Liberal MP Stephen McKinnon will take over as chief co-ordinator of the Commons government on Monday, with Karina Gould heading off on maternity leave.
McKinnon, who represents the riding in Gatineau, Kenya, is scheduled to be sworn in at Rideau Hall on Monday morning. He will assume the role of Government House leader, responsible for handling the government’s legislative agenda and organizing the day-to-day operations of the party’s legislative activities.
Mr McKinnon, 57, was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015 and previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Public Services and Procurement.
She will serve as interim replacement for Ms. Gould, who is retiring on paternity leave. Mr Gould is preparing to welcome his second child and has previously spoken of the stress of returning to parliamentary life after taking just a few months off when his son was born in 2019.
Gould, who represents Burlington, Ont., told The Canadian Press he plans to continue voting remotely and attending cabinet meetings virtually.
Mr. Gould was appointed leader of the House of Commons during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s major cabinet reshuffle last summer, and nearly all of his portfolios were replaced. She previously held several cabinet positions, including Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. She is the Minister of International Development. and the Minister of Democratic Institutions.
At 36, Gould made history as the youngest woman ever appointed to the cabinet, and also the first woman to give birth while in office.
