Randy Boissonnault resigns from Liberal cabinet, citing personal reasons

Former Treasury Board president says he remains a Liberal and will continue to support the government

Boissonnault has been the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre since 2015

Randy Boissonnault has resigned from his position as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, citing personal reasons.

In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Boissonnault said he was "deeply honored and grateful" for the opportunity to serve in the cabinet, but that he needed to step down to focus on his family and the recovery of his husband.

Boissonnault's husband, Andre Picard, was seriously injured in a car accident in 2021 and has been recovering ever since.

Boissonnault said he will continue to support the Liberal government and the Prime Minister, and that he will remain a Liberal Member of Parliament.

Boissonnault's resignation comes at a time when the Liberal government is facing a number of challenges, including the rising cost of living, the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

It is not yet clear who will replace Boissonnault as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.

Boissonnault was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, and has served in a number of cabinet positions, including Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.

He is a former journalist and public relations executive.

Boissonnault is the second Liberal cabinet minister to resign in recent months. In January, Navdeep Bains resigned as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.