Since the last time I educated myself on Canadian politics, Trudeau has won the federal election, securing the majority government with 184 seats. Though he was just sworn in, he has already been making strides that many consider surpassing what Harper did in his 9 years in power. Most recently, he announced his new 31-person liberal Cabinet that has put the media (and my American pseudo-Canadian implant self who still calls the Prime Minister a President) in a frenzy.
Basically, the Internet has gone bananas over his newly minted cabinet – and for good reason. Trudeau had promised gender parity and followed through, meaning that half of the people appointed into his cabinet are women. I think it is worth a mention that Trudeau did not just integrate women, but has as many women as men. When asked why he insisted on choosing 15 women, he bluntly replied, “Because it’s 2015” with a nonchalant-do-you-even-have-to-ask shrug of the shoulders. Can I just say that I love President Obama (because can an American talk about politics anywhere else in the world without mentioning the U.S.?) and his decisive attitude when it comes to things he believes in. Trudeau seems to have the same attitude; I appreciate that he has stood behind his promises and decisions thus far and does not feel the need to go in-depth to justify them. I think he was pretty proud of his clever remark!
The equal gender divide is not the only diverse thing about his Cabinet, though. He has appointed two aboriginal ministers, a person with a disability and one who is openly gay, as well as five visible minorities; one of whom is a former refugee from Afghanistan. And for the cherry on top, a total of 18 of the minsters are rookies and 8 of them are new to the House of Commons.
While I consider this a legitimate source of elation, I soon came to see many commenters and articles about people’s distaste for Trudeau’s decision. Specifically, people felt the ‘quota’ put gender equity before qualified candidates and as a result his Cabinet may not be prepared for the real issues it will have to face on which “diversity of opinions, experiences, backgrounds and expertise will most certainly be useful.” Another criticism has been that while there are women and minorities, some groups have been left out – namely that Trudeau did not appoint any African-Canadian, Chinese or Hispanic ministers. People have also voiced their thoughts that no concrete difference will be made with a half-women, half-men Cabinet versus a different male: female ratio. Those that are outraged also believe that such a parity is not enforcing equality, but rather is a form of discrimination and actually demeans women in order gain more female supporters. (Then there are those on the complete opposite end of the spectrum who believe gender parity with party candidates should be put into legislature, but let’s not even get into that.)
On the other hand, many citizens share my excitement over the diverse Cabinet intended to encapsulate the diversity Canada itself emulates. People have posted explaining why they feel the ministers are qualified and why citizens have a reason to be excited and optimistic: the Minister of Health is really a doctor, the Minister of Science is a scientist who has won a Nobel Prize, the Minister of the Status of Women is a real woman (teehee!), the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities was a Paralympic competitor, the Minister of Defense is a war hero, former soldier in Afghanistan and a police officer… and I think you get the point. An article from The Globe and Mail captured why this diversity matters to some, with the author honestly stating that since the Cabinet was revealed, no longer feeling the need to ask “Am I Canadian enough?” and having to choose between his ethnic background/ identity or becoming “more Canadian” because this Cabinet proves there is no hegemonic Canadian and represents people from all walks of life.
Moral of the story is: I’m becoming more and more sad that my parents crossed an entire ocean, but ended up at your southern neighbor.
Sources:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/after-trudeaus-cabinet-revea…
Images obtained from:
http://www.macleans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/TRUDEAU_CAROUSEL03.jpg
http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2015/11/04/meet-t…
http://i.cbc.ca/1.3304430.1446671701!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/…