TORONTO – Advocacy groups are panning Prime Minister Mark Carney for eliminating the cabinet positions dedicated to people with disabilities and women and gender equality issues.
Carney was sworn in as prime minister today, along with a slimmed-down cabinet of 23 ministers, down from 36 under former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Former minister for diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities Kamal Khera is now the new minister of health — and her previous position was eliminated.
The minister for women and gender equality and youth position, a role previously held by Marci Ien, is also gone.
Disability Without Poverty’s national director, Rabia Khedr, says the cabinet decisions send “a clear signal that accessibility and the inclusion of people with disabilities are not a high priority.”
Abortion Care Canada and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) also issued statements expressing concern about the government’s commitment to equality.
“The removal of these roles sends a strong message about the federal commitment to supporting women, trans and non-binary people, and the government’s dedication to building communities which support the diversity of people in Canada,” Abortion Care Canada said in an emailed statement.
“To not have these ministers engaging in key strategic decisions, policy development, and serving as advisors to the prime minister is an alarming development, with potentially devastating impacts on our communities.”
The ETFO called the removal of the positions “deeply troubling.”
“This is a time where a renewal of support is needed as the most vulnerable and oppressed groups in our society are living in fear due to the political uncertainty surrounding them. With the levels of discrimination and restriction of equality rights in the United States and globally, Canada must support and promote the rights of women and all equality seeking groups,” it said in an emailed statement.
Khedr of Disability Without Poverty said people with disabilities are being “sidelined, due to the political crisis created by the U.S.A. and the imminent election.”
A government spokesperson told The Canadian Press that the previous departments working on women, gender and disability issues will continue to operate even if they don’t have a dedicated minister.
For example, the department Women and Gender Equality Canada will now report to Steven Guilbeault as the minister of Canadian culture and identity, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson could not yet confirm which minister will be responsible for the disabilities portfolio.
Under Khera as minister, the Canada Disability Benefit was developed and finalized and will take effect later this year.
But the legislation has been widely criticized by many people with disabilities who say the maximum amount of $200 a month will do little to lift them out of poverty.
“Once again, we are not surprised to find ourselves being left behind,” said Disability Without Poverty’s Khedr in an email after learning the makeup of the new cabinet on Friday.
“It’s unclear where the responsibilities for diversity, inclusion, and persons with disabilities are even represented in the cabinet anymore.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2025.
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