AWKWARD SHRINKAGE — JUSTIN TRUDEAU has managed to pull off a rare feat as prime minister. His Cabinet table is shrinking, not growing. For anybody in town who believes in smaller front benches, it's a dream come true in excruciating slow motion. RANDY BOISSONNAULT's sacking as employment minister amid overlapping scandals just dropped a pile of work on the desk of GINETTE PETITPAS TAYLOR — the veterans affairs minister who will "temporarily assume responsibility" for Boissonnault's files. Employment and Social Development Canada pumps out billions in benefits payments. GPT also takes on the official languages portfolio in addition to her existing gig as associate minister of national defense — call it quadruple duty. — Group work: Boissonnault sat on three Cabinet committees: operations; economy, inclusion and climate “A”; and the sub-committee on intergovernmental coordination. He also joined the working group on the middle class, economy and housing. — Two is almost a trend: When former Transport Minister PABLO RODRIGUEZ bailed on Cabinet earlier this fall to take a run at Quebec's Liberal leadership, Treasury Board President ANITA ANAND watched her workload bloom. Anand manages two sets of political staff and two mammoth departments. Ask a lobbyist on the transport file — they can't wait for a solo minister to take the reins. Anand isn't hiding the enormity of it all. "I’m the president of the Treasury Board that oversees, in total, C$450 billion of expenditures every year, as well as the minister of transport, and there are large issues in both portfolios," the minister told Playbook on Tuesday. "They keep me occupied all day and almost all night." Tick tock goes the clock. — It always comes to this: Speculators in the fishbowl keep returning to four questions, some more existential than others: → When will Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND deliver a Fall Economic Statement? → How will the government engineer the approval of billions in spending estimates? → How long can this Parliament really last before Canadians go to the polls? → When will the prime minister shake up his front bench? Boissonnault's exit ratchets up talk of a shuffle. And a major economic announcement today could offer answers to the others. — Order the musical chairs already: Ottawa speculators had baked in the looming retirement of four ministers as prelude to a news-making day at Rideau Hall. A revamped Cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations dampened talk of a U.S.-focused reboot. But is that all the government's got ahead of the potential chaos of Trump 2.0? — HR considerations: Eleven ministers now sit at that primetime committee focused squarely on the American relationship. They just got down to work — and might not love being reassigned from a table meant to meet a moment. Meanwhile, Liberal backbenchers may still covet a seat in Cabinet. If the PM's team is holding out on a shuffle to keep aspirants at bay, they'd lose that leverage the moment Governor General MARY SIMON swears in a refurbished team. — Autumn of George: Boissonnault was Alberta's rep on the front bench. The Liberals have precisely one other option in that province: GEORGE CHAHAL, chair of the House natural resources committee. A wrinkle: The Hill Times reported that Chahal called for the PM to step down last month. — Seasonal Affective Disorder: Boissonnault, whose Edmonton seat could swing to the Conservatives, never intended to quit the front bench. The government faces a stalled House of Commons, political uncertainty at home and in Washington, and the same lackluster polls. One more big question: What exactly do Liberals hope to accomplish before Christmas? — Today's answer: Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU and Finance Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND are poised to unveil affordability relief measures worth billions, The Globe and Mail reported Wednesday evening. "The policies will include some temporary relief from the GST and will not be income-tested, three sources with direct knowledge of the plan say," MARIEKE WALSH scooped. Radio-Canada says the GST "holiday" will apply to beer, wine prepared hot meals, diapers, children's clothing and shoes, children's car seats and toys — and more. The measures require legislation, as well as a dance partner to break up a protracted procedural stalemate in the House and help pass a bill. — Kingmaker once again: NDP Leader JAGMEET SINGH is already claiming victory — and offering his party's support. Tell us: Are you A CABINET MINISTER who has all the answers? We promise not to tell anyone except for our subscribers. We'll even consider keeping your name confidential. Drop us a line . | 
