The federal Liberals害羞草研究所� new minister for labour and seniors is Steven MacKinnon, who most recently served as government House leader.

The Gatineau, Que., MP was sworn in at Rideau Hall on Friday morning alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon.

Outgoing labour minister Seamus O害羞草研究所橰egan announced Thursday he was resigning from cabinet for family reasons, though he is staying on as a Newfoundland MP until the next federal election.

The modest tweak to Trudeau害羞草研究所檚 cabinet comes as questions swirl around the Liberals害羞草研究所� political future, following a surprising byelection loss in a long-held Toronto riding last month and speculation over whether a broader change-up is necessary.

MacKinnon acknowledged that the government needs to do a better job communicating its message to Canadians.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e resolved to continue the work and continue on the path that we have set for Canadians. We understand, of course, there is nothing you can take for granted in politics,害羞草研究所� he told reporters after accepting the appointment.

害羞草研究所淵ou can plan all you want,害羞草研究所� he said, but the government also needs to be nimble in the face of what he described as recent 害羞草研究所渉ead-spinning events.害羞草研究所�

MacKinnon joined cabinet in January to replace government House leader Karina Gould while she is on maternity leave.

In that role, he 害羞草研究所渁ccumulated a wealth of experience building consensus and working with partners to pass legislation,害羞草研究所� a news release from the Prime Minister害羞草研究所檚 Office said, adding he has 害羞草研究所渁dvanced progress on health care, affordable housing, organized labour and climate action.害羞草研究所�

Gould will resume her previous role when she returns to the fold at the end of July, Trudeau害羞草研究所檚 office said.

Her 害羞草研究所渟teely resolve and wisdom害羞草研究所� will be a help when the House of Commons resumes in the fall, MacKinnon said.

Previously, MacKinnon served as the Liberals害羞草研究所� chief whip in the House of Commons. And throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as a parliamentary secretary in the crucial procurement portfolio.

He was first elected in the 2015 contest that swept Trudeau害羞草研究所檚 Liberals into power.

The full cabinet was expected to hold a brief virtual meeting on Friday for the first time since the byelection loss, which triggered some calls for Trudeau to step down.

MacKinnon was unequivocal when asked whether Trudeau should take time over the summer to consider if it害羞草研究所檚 time to quit.

害羞草研究所淭he prime minister enjoys the full support of me, of my colleagues, and the prime minister has obviously the full authority and full discretion to make the choices that he has to make,害羞草研究所� MacKinnon said.

害羞草研究所淥ur confidence in him to make those choices is total.害羞草研究所�

The Canadian Press