The cabinet of 30 ministers is federalised and Canadianised. It is multicultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-linguistic. It is a cabinet for 2015, in a Canada that is more and more diverse. No more domination by male Europeans, English and French with a sprinkle of Jews, Italians, Ukrainians, Germans ands a few women. Now it is 50% women in important portfolios, and representation by "new" ethnic groups, young and highly qualified.
Every province and the North are represented. 12 from Ontario, including the minister of finance, international trade, immigration, environment and aboriginal affairs; 6 plus the PM, from Quebec, including the ministers of external affairs, and transport; 3 from BC including the ministers of justice and defence; 2 from Alberta; 1 from Saskatchewan( the "old war-horse" Goodale; 2 from Manitoba; 1 each from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nunavut. Natural resources to Manitoba, Treasury Board to Nova Scotia, Fisheries to Nunavut, Public Service and Procurement to NFL, Veterans Affairs to Alberta. and Public Safety to Saskatchewan.
In 1968, a ministry of Multiculturalism was created by Pierre Trudeau and in 1982, Sec 27, stated that the Charter must interpreted " in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canada". This Cabinet of 2015 has gone a far way towards that with English, French, joined by the "new ethnics". The Minister of Defence is Sikh/ Punjabi/ Indian, Harjit Singh ( a highly decorated military man); the Minister of Justice is First Nation &woman, Jody Wilson- Raybould; the Minister of Democratic Institutions is an Afghani & woman, Maryam Monsee; the Minister of Fisheries is Inuit, Hunter Tootoo. A paraplegic, Kent Hehr is minister of Veterans Affairs; the minister of Sports, is Carla Qualtrough, visually impaired; the minister of the Treasury Board, Scott Brison is gay etc.. There are Protestants, Catholics, Hindu, Sikhs, Jews etc. and they come from urban, rural, large metropolis and far away towns, from coast to coast to coast.
Parliament will convene on Dec. 3rd and the Speech from the Throne will be read by the Governor-General on Dec. 4th. outlining the general direction of the government. Already the Minister of Finance is preparing to announce middle-class tax-cuts and the tax increase for "the top 1%. The Public Safety minister and the Minister of Immigration and Refugees are making plans for the promised 25,000 refugees and the Minister of Environment is preparing for the climate talks in Paris. They have a full plate and many of them are not just rookie ministers but rookie members of Parliament and as such have a lot of work to do.
There is a new mood in the nation. It is hopeful and happy. A cloud has been lifted after the years of division, secrecy and virulence. Already, the new PM and his ministers have met with the media, giving interviews, answering questions. 3,500+people made their way to Rideau Hall to watch the swearing in. Afterwards Trudeau waded in into the crowd hugging and shaking hands, taking out "selfies".
The expectations are very high. The Cabinet ministers are Eager Beavers. Let's see if and what they Build.
Every province and the North are represented. 12 from Ontario, including the minister of finance, international trade, immigration, environment and aboriginal affairs; 6 plus the PM, from Quebec, including the ministers of external affairs, and transport; 3 from BC including the ministers of justice and defence; 2 from Alberta; 1 from Saskatchewan( the "old war-horse" Goodale; 2 from Manitoba; 1 each from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nunavut. Natural resources to Manitoba, Treasury Board to Nova Scotia, Fisheries to Nunavut, Public Service and Procurement to NFL, Veterans Affairs to Alberta. and Public Safety to Saskatchewan.
In 1968, a ministry of Multiculturalism was created by Pierre Trudeau and in 1982, Sec 27, stated that the Charter must interpreted " in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canada". This Cabinet of 2015 has gone a far way towards that with English, French, joined by the "new ethnics". The Minister of Defence is Sikh/ Punjabi/ Indian, Harjit Singh ( a highly decorated military man); the Minister of Justice is First Nation &woman, Jody Wilson- Raybould; the Minister of Democratic Institutions is an Afghani & woman, Maryam Monsee; the Minister of Fisheries is Inuit, Hunter Tootoo. A paraplegic, Kent Hehr is minister of Veterans Affairs; the minister of Sports, is Carla Qualtrough, visually impaired; the minister of the Treasury Board, Scott Brison is gay etc.. There are Protestants, Catholics, Hindu, Sikhs, Jews etc. and they come from urban, rural, large metropolis and far away towns, from coast to coast to coast.
Parliament will convene on Dec. 3rd and the Speech from the Throne will be read by the Governor-General on Dec. 4th. outlining the general direction of the government. Already the Minister of Finance is preparing to announce middle-class tax-cuts and the tax increase for "the top 1%. The Public Safety minister and the Minister of Immigration and Refugees are making plans for the promised 25,000 refugees and the Minister of Environment is preparing for the climate talks in Paris. They have a full plate and many of them are not just rookie ministers but rookie members of Parliament and as such have a lot of work to do.
There is a new mood in the nation. It is hopeful and happy. A cloud has been lifted after the years of division, secrecy and virulence. Already, the new PM and his ministers have met with the media, giving interviews, answering questions. 3,500+people made their way to Rideau Hall to watch the swearing in. Afterwards Trudeau waded in into the crowd hugging and shaking hands, taking out "selfies".
The expectations are very high. The Cabinet ministers are Eager Beavers. Let's see if and what they Build.
