There are quite a few striking things about the new government in Ottawa. Foremost among these, perhaps, is the makeup of the first Cabinet. Of course, it has only been a week since the new Cabinet was sworn in, but so far, it is hitting a lot of right notes, even among some who fought hard to maintain the status quo in the latest election.
The first right note Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hit was gender parity. For the first time in Canadian history we have a Cabinet that is 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women.
This inevitably raised criticism about appointing people based on criteria other than merit. It is never too early to raise criticism where it is warranted, but that is not the case here. The federal government must represent all of the people and, as Trudeau said, this is a cabinet that looks like Canada. Indeed, it was a very balanced cabinet-making effort. All of the regions are represented, every province and the North as well. There are exceptionally experienced MPs and newly minted ones. First Nations are amply represented as are new Canadians.
The argument that Cabinet has never been a meritocracy can much more easily be made than the argument Trudeau ignored merit. One would be hard-pressed to find an unqualified minister among the 30.
It has become traditional to consider other factors in choosing ministers because it is important there is as wide a range of voices as possible at the Cabinet table. In any event, it is a significantly better process than the old patronage system of prime ministers elevating their friends and fundraising toadies to the fore.
Are they heavily symbolic? Sure they are. Are they accomplished people, though? Yes, they are.
The proof, of course, is in the governing and we will see how they do. Some will undoubtedly stumble, others will become superstars. That’s the nature of any government, business or other organization in the world.
Trudeau made some truly inspired choices, though. For example, Judy Wilson-Raybould as Justice Minister and Attorney General, an indigenous woman who was a provincial Crown prosecutor, B.C. Treaty Commissioner and Regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations.
Or how about Harjit Sajjan as Minister of National Defence? He is a bona fide war hero and former police officer in Surrey, BC, one of the toughest municipalities in the country.
There is also Stéphane Dion in Foreign Affairs, who may not have been a great choice for party leader when he made the run to be prime minister, but he is a good choice for that portfolio.
There will certainly be things to criticize about this Cabinet in the long-term. In the short-term, it is unlikely to be the Liberals’ first legislative failure. That will likely be bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year.
Frankly, at the time Trudeau made that promise, it looked like he might be fighting for second place, or at best a minority. Either of those situations would have made the promise moot.
John McCallum, the veteran Liberal MP tasked with that job, remains committed to the number and has struck a cabinet subcommittee. It is all hands on deck to make this happen. If it doesn’t, it appears it won’t be from lack of effort.
And, if they fall short, they may well yet be forgiven. Every government gets a honeymoon phase.
