A new era dawns for Canada
Re Balance of Power, Nov. 5 If there is one word that would best describe the new government it would be diversity. Indeed, each province and territory so ably and uniformly represented in its new cabinet, the gender and ethnic balance in its 30 members and the infusion of youth — components that all speak to change and promise.
Promising is the swearing-in ceremony, which intoned and displayed such an era of potential ahead that it required no less than three pens to sign in this eager band of 30 aspirants and their new chief, the prime minister of Canada.
If nothing else, that should signal a new energy unleashed to tackle the many challenges for this promising era ahead for all Canadians. And we wish them well. Claude McDonald, Kitchener Canada reborn! My heart swells with joy and pride as Canada demonstrates democracy in action as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers are sworn in before the public. Is there another nation in the world where citizens have voted freely and elected such superbly qualified men and women who are immediately shown to all the citizens?
We are so blessed with freedom and the opportunity to have a prime minister who recognizes true Canadian values and will restore our status at the UN and throughout the world.
After the years, terrifying to me, of the Harper regime diminishing openness, eliminating discussion in Parliament, imposing cruel laws in areas of justice, immigration and engaging in undeclared war, the sun is streaming in and we are returning to the Canada that I have loved for more than 80 years. I am thrilled to see the bright future for my wonderful country. Shirley Bush, Toronto The ideal of the Canadian mosaic is alive and well in Ottawa. History was made as the prime minister presented his gender balanced cabinet. It was a beautiful image with the new women and men ministers having a story to tell, a Canadian story. It is clearly a very talented team with a mixture of experience and exuberance as Canadians need to have a strong connection with those who run our government. After all, it is us who pay their salaries and we deserve nothing but the best.
Although their political portraits are nice to see and there is hope for real change of a transparent, just and fair government, their actions will be put to the test in the next four or five years.
It is only the beginning and we have to remain optimistic, but I am glad to see that the pathway for a progressive society in Canada has not diminished. That is basically what we all want: Politics for Progress. Anything less would be unacceptable. Mario Jacinto Rimbao, Brossard, Que. For Justin Trudeau to be ushered into the swearing-in ceremony, borne aloft on the haunting timbre of Cree tradition, and to emerge as our new prime minister, is a potent acknowledgement of the myriad peoples who made, and continue to advance, our nation. Trudeau represents a rebirth of ideals, renewal of Canada as inspiration for the rest of the world. Through this territory, global citizens can, indeed, envision a hoped-for country, in which disparate peoples and diverse views can be incorporated into nationhood.
Through our influence, the global community can aspire to parity, pursue equity, insist on right. Canada has always been this nation. May we never forget this moment or abandon this movement, and always seek the better angels of our nature. Caril Phang, Toronto
“For the first time, as a woman in my homeland, I feel valued.” ALEXANDRA (ALI) GARRISON, TORONTO
Tears are free-flowing down my cheeks as I read the news about the half-female cabinet. An inclusive and pluralistic approach has been long yearned for by so many. It is all we ask for. Equity. Respect for and investment in our capacities, abilities and our full rights as human beings. Equal opportunities, choice and compensation. The full spectrum of our voices and ideas to be heard and to carry equal weight. The support and opportunity to lead.
For the first time, as a woman in my homeland, I feel valued. Alexandra (Ali) Garrison, Toronto
Those who applaud the wisdom of a cabinet that is 50-per-cent female will be heartened by the fact that fully half of the would-be leaders of an ailing Conservative Party are women.
Debates about affirmative action aside, Canada needs a balance between male and female perspectives on the world, something that has greatly benefited Scandinavian countries. Roguish acts committed under the rubric of realpolitik, for example, are far less likely to be sanctioned by female leaders. Men have done a great job ruining (as opposed to running) the world and we should applaud the fact that help is on the way. Ron Charach, Toronto The cabinet should be made up of those best suited for the position and the most capable regardless of sex, race, religion, etc. The choosing of cabinet ministers should not be used as a way for the governing party to garner political favours from special interest groups. This is not what we the electorate are paying for through our taxes.
We expect the best person for the job to be selected. Quotas are an insult to every woman (and/or minority) who has made it on their own merit. As a woman from an immigrant family, I find this attitude to be patronizing and insulting. Sigita Huys, London, Ont. I am concerned with the lack of attention being paid to seniors. While the emphasis on youth does cause exhilaration, the fact is that in a very few years, seniors will outnumber other demographics. Yet there was no cabinet position devoted to our issues and, apart from a few silver-haired stalwarts in the cabinet, no mention from anyone about my increasing demographic.
It would be well advised for our youthful prime minister and cabinet to pay attention not only to our growing numbers, but to the contribution we continue to make to Canadian society. Mel Tonken, Toronto Today the Star commented that after taking media questions, the new prime minister dove into the crowd, took selfies and returned to his office where, as “the social media animal,” he participated in a Google hangout video conference interactive chat with five schools across Canada. Justin Trudeau was also sworn in as minister of youth.
So refreshing and Canada’s youth now have an amazing role model and some- one who will speak for and to them. Gail Bennett, Toronto Gender is only one dimension of diversity. Although the minority share of cabinet posts (23 per cent) closely mirrors their share of Canada’s population (26 per cent), the cabinet counts no members from the East Asian, black, southeast Asian or Latin American communities even though East Asians are the single largest ethnic minority group in the country (5.3 per cent) and the aforementioned groups collectively form 13 per cent of Canada’s population. Kai L. Chan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates The swearing in of the new government was a celebration of great joy and pointed symbolism that heralded a new era of inclusivity and civility in Canada. How fitting that — flanked by cabinet ministers proudly wearing Liberal red — our new prime minister chose to wear a tie coloured Conservative blue.
What a thoughtful way to demonstrate his belief that he was elected to serve all Canadians, not just those who chose to support him at the ballot box. His “sunny ways” are such a profound and welcome relief — we are so ready for them. Gillian Bartlett, Toronto It was a gorgeous autumn day in our nation’s capital, with the hope of change in the air but it certainly felt like spring, “Canada’s Spring.” Prime Minister Trudeau and his new government have a very ambitious agenda and many Canadians are hoping that he follows through and bring the change he campaigned on. His honeymoon won’t last forever but, right now, Trudeau can enjoy his “spring.” Andrew van Velzen, Toronto The Trudeau cabinet elicits a new verb in the Canadian lexicon: “genderational,” which is defined as reflecting a change in both gender and generation in the makeup of an organization. As a newly optimistic Canadian, I am excited by this change. Gord Humphrey, Port Perry, Ont. Tim Harper gushes that the incoming Liberal cabinet is “the deepest in talent in modern history.” I realize the Star’s editorial staff are still high-fiving each other over the recent election result, but do you not feel it’s perhaps a tiny bit premature to label this the best cabinet ever? Would it not be a good idea to wait a while and see how they actually perform? Steve Soloman, Toronto Bill Morneau, a former chair of the right-wing C.D. Howe Institute as well as a “Bay Street Boy,” has been named Finance Minister in the new government. This is a first inkling that the Liberals are again campaigning from the left and governing from the right. What’s next? A rubber-stamping of the corporate-friendly Trans-Pacific Partnership without due process? Maggie Laidlaw, Guelph, Ont. Gender equality? If so, why is the PM kissing his female ministers but shaking the hands of the men at the swearing in ceremony? Same old, same old. No real equality here, just condescending arrogance. D. Box, North Vancouver, B.C. Son of Pierre. The second coming. Douglas Cornish, Ottawa