For years, Navdeep Bains has been one of Justin Trudeau's most trusted lieutenants. 

First elected in 2004, the Mississauga-Malton MP has been the minister of innovation, science and industry ever since Trudeau formed his first government in 2015. And Bains has helped solidify Liberal support within Canada's large Sikh community.

But this morning over Twitter, Bains announced that he's not running in the next federal election and he's stepping down from cabinet.

"As many of you know, family is the most important thing in my life," the 43-year-old politician said. "They have sacrificed so much over the last 17 years.

"Last year has been hard on families," he continued. "My daughters, who are in Grade 5 and Grade 8, have needed me more in the last year. And I needed them too. It's time for me to put my family first, and I couldn't be happier about it."

https://twitter.com/NavdeepSBains/status/1348978566197895169

The tweet came after an Ontario digital media platform, the Pointer, reported that Bains was involved in a "questionable real estate transaction" in partnership with former Liberal MP Raj Grewal.

Grewal resigned for medical reasons in 2018. The prime minister's office later said that Grewal had a serious gambling problem. He's facing four charges of breach of trust and one count of fraud over $5,000.

According to the Pointer, an official in the former Brampton mayor's office disclosed details about a property. Bains and Grewal, however, reportedly denied passing along information or soliciting information from this staffer.

CBC News has reported that Trudeau will appoint Mississauga Centre MP Omar Alghabra as minister of transport. Transport Minister Marc Garneau, a former astronaut, will become the new minister of foreign affairs.

François-Philippe Champagne, who became minister of foreign affairs in 2019, will reportedly fill Bains's post as the minister of innovation, science and industry.

Update

The new cabinet ministers were all sworn in before 7 a.m. Pacific standard time today. In addition, a former minister, Jim Carr, is back in cabinet as the minister without portfolio. Carr formerly held the international trade diversification and natural resources portfolios. He was relieved of his cabinet responsibilities when he underwent treatment for cancer.

Carr, a former Winnipeg business leader, continues in his role as the prime minister's liaison with Prairie provinces.