Carney’s Cabinet Leaves Out Disability Portfolio, Raising Concerns Among Advocates

Mark Carney takes office: Canada’s new Prime Minister attends swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on May 13, 2025, surrounded by dignitaries. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

By MSIMULIZI

OTTAWA — As Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his first cabinet this week, attention quickly turned to its makeup: gender-balanced, climate-focused, and heavy on economic credentials. But amid the praise for its polish and professionalism, one glaring omission has sparked quiet outrage from advocacy groups and equity watchers—the absence of a dedicated Minister for Disability Inclusion.

In a country where more than six million people live with a disability, the failure to appoint a minister focused on their rights and needs is being seen by many as a step backward.

A Silent Signal

For advocates, the exclusion sends a worrying message.

“This isn’t just an oversight—it’s a signal,” said Sarah Jama, a disability rights activist and former MPP. “Without a cabinet minister championing these issues at the top level, it becomes that much easier for them to fall through the cracks.”

The role of a Disability Inclusion Minister was established to ensure that accessibility and inclusion were not sidelined in federal decision-making. The previous government expanded programs and initiated long-overdue reforms to disability benefits and accessibility laws. Many had hoped Carney would go further.

Instead, disability issues appear to have been folded under a broader social development portfolio—one that already encompasses everything from childcare to seniors’ issues. Critics argue that this kind of consolidation diminishes the focus and visibility necessary to drive real change.

Accountability and Representation

Carney campaigned on fairness, promising a government that would “leave no one behind.” But for some, the composition of the cabinet doesn’t fully live up to that promise.

“There are real implications here,” said Rabia Khedr, National Director of Disability Without Poverty. “Without a seat at the cabinet table, we risk losing hard-won ground in areas like housing, employment equity, and benefit reform.”

The disappointment is particularly acute given the context. Canadians with disabilities faced disproportionate hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to grapple with systemic barriers in nearly every sector.

Wider Pattern?

The exclusion of a disability-specific portfolio is not the only concern. Other roles—such as ministers for seniors, youth, and reconciliation—have either been rolled into broader departments or omitted entirely. While this may reflect a desire for a leaner cabinet, critics say it could also reflect a troubling narrowing of priorities.

“There’s a political cost to exclusion,” said University of Ottawa political scientist Geneviève Tellier. “Representation matters—not just symbolically, but because it shapes what gets attention in policy debates.”

Room for Course Correction

While the cabinet has been sworn in, Carney still has options. He could appoint a parliamentary secretary with a disability mandate or create a dedicated task force. But as of now, there’s been no indication that such moves are forthcoming.

For a government positioning itself as forward-looking and inclusive, that silence is growing louder.

However, I noticed the caption mentions Mark Carney, but the date May 13, 2025, might not correspond with his actual term. If you provide more context, I can assist further.

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