Ministery for Women and Gender Equality and Youth (WAGE) Disappears
The elimination of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth (WAGE) in Canada’s new cabinet is a troubling step backward for gender equality. This decision undermines decades of progress and deprioritizes critical issues affecting women, 2SLGBTQIIA+ communities, and youth. Even in a streamlined cabinet, this omission signals a lack of commitment to advancing gender rights and addressing systemic inequalities.
Gender equality is essential for economic strength and societal resilience. Policies like childcare, healthcare, and measures to end gender-based violence are not optional—they are foundational. Consolidating WAGE responsibilities into broader portfolios dilutes focus, expertise, and resources, making meaningful progress unlikely.
This move aligns with a global trend of rolling back gender protections and diminishes Canada’s leadership on women’s rights, including commitments under the Beijing Declaration. It also marginalizes young feminists by removing their platform for advocacy.
The Prime Minister must reinstate a dedicated WAGE minister to ensure accountability and sustained attention to these vital issues. Canadians should not have to choose between economic priorities and social equity; both are interdependent and important.