On May 13, Prime Minister Carney unveiled his new cabinet, followed by a single mandate letter outlining seven key priorities for the government. Last week’s Speech from the Throne added important context, including mention of a commitment to remove gun licences for individuals who commit IPV. This is an important and necessary step – but unfortunately presents IPV only through a public safety lens. Conversations around gun control are critical, especially considering their role in femicide – often used in one-third of the cases, according to the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability. But this needs to be part of a broader, more coordinated response. We’re ready to work with the new government to implement more holistic, preventative, and survivor-centred solutions that address the root causes of GBV and IPV.
We are pleased to see the Honourable Rechie Valdez appointed as Minister for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE). This marks a significant victory for gender justice advocates across the country. At a time when gender-based violence has reached epidemic levels, where women, girls, gender-diverse and Two-Spirit people face disproportionate impacts of poverty, housing insecurity, and underfunded social services, this appointment signals that the federal government is listening.
It is a powerful reminder that feminist advocacy works.
We’re also pleased to see the appointment of the Honourable Gregor Robertson as Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. As he steps into the role as new minister, we urge him to take bold steps to move beyond market-driven housing solutions, which have failed to deliver safe, adequate housing for all, and move towards models that prioritize housing as a human right. We would like to specifically call attention to the investment of $50M in supportive housing, announced in the Fall Economic Statement, and the positive early rollout of this initiative.
We also welcome the Carney government’s commitment to gender parity in cabinet appointments. Equal representation is a necessary step toward inclusive governance. We urge the government to ensure that every cabinet minister has the tools and resources needed to effect change based on the diverse needs of different groups in Canada, including, but not limited to, women with disabilities, Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, newcomers, low income women and all others who face intersecting barriers to equality. True gender parity requires an intersectional, rights-based approach, where policy decisions are informed by the voices of those most impacted by systemic discrimination.
The cabinet-wide mandate letter outlined significant economic and infrastructure priorities, but no explicit commitments to address GBV or to advance gender equity. In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to key ministers outlining specific policy recommendations to ensure bold and coordinated action that reflects the urgency of the GBV epidemic.
We look forward to working with all ministers and their teams to implement solutions that provide tangible, sustainable support for GBV survivors and those also experiencing homelessness.