OTTAWA— Embattled Edmonton MP Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet while he clears his name.

In a brief statement issued Wednesday before question period, the Prime Minister’s Office said that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “and MP Randy Boissonnault have agreed that Mr. Boissonnault will step away from Cabinet effective immediately. Mr. Boissonnault will focus on clearing the allegations made against him.”

Trudeau said Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor will temporarily assume responsibility for Boissonnault’s duties as minister of employment, workforce development and official languages.

The decision represents a reversal from Trudeau’s declaration Tuesday that he was “happy” to have Boissonnault “continuing to lead on issues around jobs and employment and represent Alberta in our government.”

Trudeau entered the weekly Wednesday caucus meeting without taking reporters’ questions, but at a G20 summit closing news conference on Tuesday, Trudeau offered tepid support for Boissonnault when asked about the allegations dogging the minister.

Cabinet solidarity earlier held on Wednesday for Boissonnault, but one of his caucus colleagues urged the Edmonton MP to do a better job of explaining himself.

“A good bit of clear light on the situation is the best disinfectant,” said B.C. MP Ken Hardie, who said he wanted Boissonnault to explain his position to Liberal caucus in the face of allegations he lied about having Indigenous identity or that the company of which...

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