After Chrystia Freeland resigns, Dominic LeBlanc named finance minister – National [Video]

Just hours after Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet, long-time Liberal cabinet member Dominic LeBlanc has added the finance portfolio to his responsibilities.

LeBlanc, who has served in cabinet since 2015, was sworn in at Rideau Hall to the role on Monday, becoming minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs.

LeBlanc called being named to the role an honour, and said the “number one” priority for government needed to be cost of living.

“Canadian families, Canadians across the country are feeling the pressure of the cost of living increases, they want the government to remain focused on those issues,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, Freeland advised Trudeau in a letter that she would step down from her role in the cabinet. She wrote that the only “honest and viable path” was for her to resign after she said Trudeau advised her he no longer wanted her to serve as finance minister.

Her resignation set off …