Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and his cabinet were sworn in last week, marking the first change in prime minister in Canada in nearly a decade. But diversity, equity and inclusion advocates across the country are raising alarm bells about the lack of a dedicated Women and Gender Equality minister in Carney’s new government.
Carney’s slimmed-down cabinet of 23 ministers, compared to 36 under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, eliminates both the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities.
The smaller cabinet is likely due to the imminent federal election and Carney’s limited options from existing elected MPs who’ve committed to running for the Liberals again. But the decision to eliminate key roles is still facing harsh criticism from diversity advocates.
In a joint statement following the announcement, more than 200 Canadian organizations slammed the decision to eliminate the role of Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, most recently held by Marci Ien.
“Even in a lean cabinet, which purports to be responding to specific economic pressures, the absence of this dedicated minister sends a troubling message about the current government’s priorities and commitment to advancing rights for intergenerational women, 2SLGBTQIIA+ people and gender equality at large,” the statement reads.
Signatories include the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Planned Parenthood Toronto, the Society for Queer Momentum and the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies.
Canada has had a Minister for the Status of Women since 1971, with the portfolio often getting paired with another department such as Heritage or State. In 2018 under Trudeau, the role was renamed Minister for Women and Gender Equality and more formally included LGBTQ2S+ issues. In 2021, it became Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, held by Marci Ien until this most recent cabinet realignment. In addition to women’s and youth issues, Ien was also responsible for LGBTQ2S+ issues.
A spokesperson for the government said that the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality still exists, and it, along with diversity and inclusion, will be overseen by Steven Guilbeault as the Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity. Disabilities will be handled by Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Jobs and Families.
In their joint statement, the Canadian equity organizations pointed out that eliminating a dedicated role to gender equality will roll back accountability.
“Consolidating these responsibilities into a broader portfolio undermines the focus, expertise, and resources required to tackle systemic issues effectively. Simply put, it will not work. Gender equality demands dedicated leadership, accountability, and sustained attention—none of which can be adequately achieved when it is treated as an afterthought within a larger, unrelated ministry.”
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