The Department of Canadian Heritage sees a change of Minister as Justin Trudeau replaces Melany Joly with Paolo Rodriguez who was elected as a Liberal to the House of Commons of Canada for the Quebec riding of Honoré-Mercier in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Rodriguez was Chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, the Official Opposition’s Critic for of the Francophonie and Official Languages, and Critic for Public Works and Government Services Canada. He has served on many committees of the House of Commons, including the Committee of Canadian Heritage, Official Languages and the Public Accounts Committee.

On February 14, 2007, a bill Rodriguez put forward was passed by the Commons that would give the Conservative government 60 days to come up with a plan to respect Canada’s engagements under the Kyoto protocol.[clarification needed]

He is the Past President of the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party of Canada.

He was the Quebec Chair of the Michael Ignatieff candidacy during his 2006 campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.