Brampton MP Ruby Sahota named government whip in Liberal cabinet adjustment

Brampton North MP Ruby Sahota is stepping into her new role as government whip, taking over for the newly-appointed Liberal House leader.

Sahota is taking on the job of Chief Government Whip from MP for Gatineau Steven MacKinnon, who is also in a new position as interim Liberal House leader.

The Brampton North MP was named deputy government whip in 2021, and the promotion means she will be tasked with maintaining discipline in the Liberal caucus.

Sahota grew up in Brampton and was an attorney before being elected to the House of Commons in 2015 and since then has worked on files ranging from human rights and women’s equality issues to public transit, post-secondary education investments and childcare.

“Ruby’s determination to be accessible and hardworking for her constituents, while encouraging more women and young people to get involved in politics, has deepened her passion for public service,” the biography on her website reads.

Moving into the house leader position, MacKinnon is now in charge of negotiating with other parties to shepherd legislation through the lower chamber. He said members of Parliament from all parties must set a better tone when the House of Commons resumes later this month

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“There’s no question we can do better,” MacKinnon said.

The short term cabinet adjustment comes as many lament the collapse of decorum in the House of Commons, with personal heckling and legislative manoeuvring that led to an overnight voting marathon last month.

MacKinnon said it was a “testy” autumn in the House, but is pledging an “open-door policy” toward finding common ground with opposition parties.

He said progress on pharmacare remains a top priority for the government, and a core part of an agreement that has the NDP propping up the Liberal minority government.

– With files from The Canadian Press