Tom Mulcair welcomes new cabinet

Following the swearing in ceremony today, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair congratulates Prime Minister Trudeau and welcomes the appointment of Canada’s new Cabinet.

“It’s clear from the election results that Canadians were ready for change,” said Mulcair. “Today’s swearing in ceremony turns another page on the previous administration. While this change is welcome in Ottawa, progress made in the coming months and years will reveal the strength of that change.”

However New Democrats are disappointed that the new cabinet is larger than expected. As the progressive opposition, NDP MPs are ready to get to work on behalf of Canadians and are meeting this afternoon, ready to hold the new ministers to account on important issues including:

• Fighting climate change with serious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Building a new era of nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations, starting with an inquiry in missing and murdered indigenous women;
• Ensuring better access to health care;
• Fixing our unfair electoral system to ensure every vote counts, and
• Resettling 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of this year.

“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Trudeau to help bring change to Canadians,” added Mulcair. “Gender parity in Cabinet is a good first step and should be congratulated, but achieving fairness and equality for all Canadians is a long-term goal that requires hard work. I look forward to pressing the new Prime Minister and his cabinet on their progress.”