Canada's PM Carney criticized for smaller cabinet structure

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing criticism from advocacy groups. They are unhappy that he has eliminated several dedicated ministerial roles within his new, smaller cabinet. Carney announced his cabinet of 23 ministers on Friday, aiming to focus on issues like worker protection and economic growth during challenging times. Advocacy leaders, such as Rabia Khedr from Disability Without Poverty, believe the changes prioritize political strategy over the needs of vulnerable communities. They argue that key areas such as equity, diversity, and inclusion are being sidelined. Missing from the cabinet are roles specifically for women, gender equality, youth, official languages, and more, which were present in the previous administration. Carney's office stated that responsibilities for these important issues have been consolidated under different ministers. For instance, Steven Guilbeault now oversees Canadian culture and identity, which includes women and gender equality. Jobs and Families Minister Steve MacKinnon also manages seniors and persons with disabilities. MacKinnon defended the new structure, insisting that the government remains committed to fighting for gender equity and other associated issues. He pointed to recent improvements in employment insurance that benefit Canadian women. Despite this, Khedr and other advocates are calling for the reinstatement of dedicated ministerial positions to ensure these issues receive appropriate attention. More than 200 advocacy groups are demanding a return to focused ministerial roles, arguing that combining responsibilities could lead to a lack of urgency on critical matters like seniors' support. There are concerns that broader portfolios may dilute the attention given to specific groups. Some groups, including the Ontario Native Women's Association, expressed worry that issues affecting Indigenous communities are not prioritized under the new cabinet structure. Similarly, advocates for official languages argue that the restoration of this minister position is crucial for maintaining Canadian identity and unity. Former political advisers suggest that while consolidating roles might upset some, it can be effective in streamlining governance during challenging times. They argue that the government’s budget will show if priorities have shifted, rather than just the titles of ministers in the cabinet.