Canada's new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau followed through on a campaign promise when he unveiled the ministerial list with 15 women and 15 men who are mostly aged under 50, in a team marking both a generational change and a commitment to reflecting Canada’s diversity.
“It’s important to be here before you today to present to Canada a cabinet that looks like Canada,” Trudeau, 43, told reporters soon after he was officially sworn-in as the country’s 23rd prime minister and the second-youngest in its history.
Asked to explain his gender parity promise, he answered: “Because it’s 2015.”
"It's a historic day for women," cabinet minister Sheila Copps told CBC of the appointments, His cabinet is comprised of 31 people, including himself.
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While some in Canada have raised concerns over Trudeau's focus on maintaining gender parity, many on Wednesday pointed out the vast qualifications of the women in the new cabinet.
“These are very strong, able, capable women,” Frances Lankin, a former MP, told Metro News.
Many of the ministers are fresh faces. But six of the newly appointed come with deep experience in Canadian politics.
“The more diverse your organization, your board, or, in this case, cabinet, the more it reflects the realities of the population we are serving," Maryam Monsef, the newly elected 30-year-old Minister told Huffington Post.
43-year old, Justin Trudeau is the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history after Joe Clark, and he is the eldest son of the 15th Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau.
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