Mixed reactions from Greens on new cabinet

OTTAWA — The Green Party of Canada has a mixed reaction to Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet appointments announced today.

“We were very happy to see Dominic LeBlanc at the swearing in and we hope that he is on the way to a full recovery,” said Green Party Interim Leader Jo-Ann Roberts. Mr. LeBlanc has been appointed to the important role of president of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada.

“And while we welcome the appointment of Jonathan Wilkinson as Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, the long-time environmentalist Steven Guilbeault would seem to be the natural choice for this portfolio.”

Elizabeth May, (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) said she is disappointed that Kirsty Duncan, a UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scientist, is no longer a member of cabinet.

“I’m very disappointed that Science and Democratic Institutions are no longer stand-alone departments,” said Ms. May. “I had hoped that Mr. Trudeau would heed our call for a climate cabinet and also embrace the possibility of electoral reform, but neither of those options seem to be on the table.”

The climate crisis remains a priority issue for Canadians and the Green Party hopes that the new cabinet will view every decision through the lens of climate action. From health to housing, immigration, employment, affordability and the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the climate emergency must remain front and centre.