(4 minute read)

written with references from Ashley Burke | CBC News, PM Carney's smaller cabinet is facing pushback from advocacy groups

An Alarming Decision at a Critical Time

On March 14, 2025, just six days after International Women’s Day, world leaders gathered at the United Nations Women’s Rights Summit to assess 30 years of progress on gender equality. 

The same day, Canadians were met with shocking news: newly appointed Liberal Prime Minister, Mark Carney, had eliminated the role of Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth (WAGE) from the federal cabinet.

Also missing from his ministers are the titles official languages, diversity, inclusion, persons with disabilities and seniors — all included in Trudeau's cabinet.

Carney described his cabinet as a much smaller cabinet focused on protecting workers during a trade war and building the economy during a moment of crisis.

Those portfolios aren't gone, but have been consolidated under other ministers' responsibilities. However, advocacy groups are upset that ministers solely dedicated to their issues are no longer around the cabinet table.

Carney gave Steven Guilbeault an expanded cabinet role called "Canadian culture and identity, Parks Canada and Quebec lieutenant." The Prime Minister's Office says his portfolio includes women and gender equality along with official languages.

Minister of Jobs and Families Steven MacKinnon's portfolio includes seniors and persons with disabilities according to Carney’s office.

Recently, MacKinnon was quoted referring to the community as “handicapped people. Rabia Khedr, the national director of Disability Without Poverty, says MacKinnon should start in his role by knowing the government's language under the Accessible Canada Act is "persons with disabilities, people with disabilities or even disabled people."

Khedr is also among those calling for Carney to immediately reinstate the dedicated ministerial position over fears they're losing a champion around the cabinet table.

Gonzalo Peralta, executive director of Languages Canada, says he understands Canada is facing an economic crisis and threats like never before, but wants the minister of official languages restored after the election. He said the role is key to Canadian unity.

More than 200 advocacy groups and organizations have joined forces to demand the new prime minister bring back a minister entirely focused on women and gender equality.

Anuradha Dugal, executive director of Women's Shelters Canada, says for more than 60 years there's been a status of women minister and folding the portfolio under another minister's responsibilities sets back decades of work.

“Including us in a ministry that is now called Canadian identity I think also undermines the responsibility to fulfil the full rights of women and gender diverse people at a time when they're under threat globally," Dugal told CBC News.

The Ontario Native Women's Association says this cabinet sends the message that Indigenous women and girls who face "unacceptable levels of violence" are not a priority.

Guilbeault said in a social media post on Wednesday that gender equality and the rights of women and the 2SLGBTQ+ community "will always be a priority for our government. As the minister responsible for this file, I will continue to defend and advance this important work with my department [Women and Gender Equality Canada] and our partners," he wrote.

Other advocacy groups worry if ministers are dealing with multiple portfolios, they'll have to triage priorities and their files will fall to the wayside.

"I think there could be a lack of co-ordination on certain issues and a lack of urgency to deal with seniors' issues," said Graham Webb, executive director of the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly.

The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement to CBC News that while the ministers responsible for these files have changed, their work continues to "support Canadians of all ages, promote diversity and gender equality and protect our two official languages."

This decision signals a regressive step that threatens to undermine decades of progress on women’s rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and diversity initiatives. Even in a so-called lean cabinet or "war cabinet" aimed at economic efficiency amidst a current trade war, this move sends a clear and troubling message about the government’s priorities: gender equity and inclusion are being treated as expendable.

The Devastating Impact of This Move

The removal of these ministerial roles is not just symbolic—at a time when:

• 44% of Canadian women (61% of Indigenous women) experience Intimate Partner Violence
• 1-in-3 women experience sexual violence, this will have real and immediate consequences for millions of Canadians.

Women, 2SLGBTQIIA+ communities, and gender-diverse people will have no dedicated cabinet voice advocating for their rights, policies, and protections. 

Critical initiatives, including the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, childcare expansion, and pharmacare, risk losing dedicated leadership and resources.
Young feminists, who fought for a seat at the decision-making table, have been pushed back to the margins.

This decision comes amid a growing international backlash against women’s rights and gender justice, making it all the more urgent for Canada to reaffirm its commitment to progress. Instead, this government is sending a dangerous signal that gender equality is an afterthought.

Public Pressure Works: The Power of Collective Action

This is not the first time political leaders have faced pressure to roll back equality initiatives. But history has also shown that when people unite, change happens.

• Over 19 million people signed the Justice for George Floyd petition, making it the most successful in history and pressuring governments to take action on racial justice.
• More than 2.2 million people demanded justice for Trayvon Martin, pushing conversations on racial profiling into mainstream political discourse.
• 5 million signatures against the Yulin Dog Meat Festival forced international scrutiny and policy reconsiderations.

A large-scale petition calling for the reinstatement of dedicated Ministers for Gender Equity and DEI can send a powerful message to Prime Minister Carney: Canadians will not stand by as these crucial roles are erased.

We Must Demand Change—Now

The Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW-ICREF) and over 200 Canadian non-profits have emphasized, gender equality is not a luxury—it is the backbone of a strong economy and resilient society. The argument that economic concerns justify eliminating these ministerial roles is deeply flawed. Studies have consistently shown that investing in gender equity leads to:

✅ Stronger economic growth
✅ Higher workforce participation
✅ Improved national well-being

Canada does not have to choose between the economy and social justice—these are not opposing forces. They are interconnected. Eliminating these roles does not save money; it weakens the very foundation of our society.

The removal of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and the Minister of DEI is an attack on hard-fought rights and protections. We must not let this stand.

Take Action: Sign the Petition to Reinstate These Ministers

✍️ Sign the petition.
📢 Share it with your networks.
📨 Write to your Member of Parliament.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are non-negotiable. Let’s make sure our government understands that. The time to act is now.

—This Woman’s Truth

www.thiswomanstruth.com

in partnership with:

• Ontario Injustice
• Survivors 4 Justice Reform