Canadian PM reshuffles Cabinet

All four Indian-origin ministers have retained their positions in a major Cabinet reshuffle carried out by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in what is described as the beginning of his preparations for the 2019 elections.

Trudeau's Cabinet now has 34 ministers, up from the previous 30. It features 17 men and 17 women, plus Prime Minister Trudeau.

In a surprise move, former Toronto police chief Bill Blair was yesterday appointed Minister of Border Security and Organised Crime Reduction.

Indian-origin Amarjeet Sohi from Edmonton Mill Woods was shifted to natural resources ministry. His infrastructure portfolio was assigned to Jim Carr, who as the new minister of international trade is expected to diversify Canada's trade interests beyond the United States.

The two other Indian-origin Cabinet ministers -- Naavdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Harjit Sajan, Minister of National Defence -- have retained their portfolios.

Indian-origin Bardish Chagger lost the tourism and small business portfolio but retained her key position as the leader of the government in the House of Commons. She was sworn in as the first woman leader of the House of Commons in 2016. Her parents had immigrated to Canada from India in 1970.