Two Muslim ministers were named in Canada’s new cabinet announced on Tuesday, October 26 by Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of the Canadian Parliament’s Nov. 22 return.
Omar Alghabra remains Minister of Transport and Ahmed Hussen becomes Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Reuters reported.
“Honoured to continue serving Canadians in Cabinet as Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion,” said Minister Hussen on his Facebook page.
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“With a dedicated Ministry for Housing, we will continue to make it easier for Canadians to find an affordable place to call home & ending chronic homelessness. Let’s keep working!”
“The work of building a diverse and inclusive Canada requires a whole of government approach,” he added. Let’s be bolder, stronger and steadfast in the fight to end hatred and racism. We have to do this together.”
Diversity is a fact but inclusion is a choice.
Honoured to continue serving Canadians in Cabinet as Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/c74dKwOXwx
— Ahmed Hussen (@HonAhmedHussen) October 26, 2021
Alghabra also shared a similar message on twitter.
“Our country has a bright future! I am honoured to continue serving Canadians as Minister of Transport. As the transportation sector continues to thrive & innovate, our gov’t will be there to keep working hard for you,” he wrote.
Our country has a bright future! I am honoured to continue serving Canadians as Minister of Transport.
As the transportation sector continues to thrive & innovate, our gov’t will be there to keep working hard for you. pic.twitter.com/iXfOikG36r
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) October 27, 2021
Cabinet Highlights
One of the major appointments to the 39-minister cabinet is Oakville MP Anita Anand who becomes the second woman in Canadian history to take on the role of Defence minister, after former prime minister Kim Campbell in the 1990s.
The 38-member team has an equal number of men and women.
The former cabinet had Maryam Monsef as a third Muslim minister along with Hussen and Alghabra. Yet, Monsef lost her seat in September elections.
“Canadians need a strong and diverse Cabinet to deliver on their priorities and keep Canada moving forward for everyone,” Trudeau told reporters Tuesday afternoon.
“This team will finish the fight against COVID‑19, deliver on $10-a-day child care, help Canadians find a home of their own, tackle the climate crisis, and continue to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Together, we will work tirelessly to build a better future for all Canadians.”