Canada’s new Minister of Veterans Affairs says she won’t be commenting further on what many view as a cabinet demotion.
Jody Wilson-Raybould was shuffled out of the justice portfolio in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mini cabinet shuffle Monday.
Wilson-Raybould has been Canada’s Attorney General since 2015, the first Indigenous person to hold the office.
Trudeau denies that the move is a demotion, calling her “extraordinarily capable” in her handling of complex files like assisted dying legislation.
Wilson-Raybould later issued a statement, saying, in part that “the foundation for moving forward is understanding that the dire social and economic realities that Indigenous peoples continue to face – including lack of clean drinking water, over representation in the criminal justice system, inadequate housing, high rates of poverty, and violence against Indigenous women and girls – are directly linked to legislative and policy regimes that have disempowered and divided Indigenous peoples, eroded their systems of governance, laws, and responsibilities, harmed their economies, and denied their basic rights and systems”.
She went to say “long overdue legislative and policy changes based on the recognition of title and rights, including historic treaties, are urgently needed, so that Indigenous peoples can accelerate and lead the work of re-building their Nations and governments, and a new climate of co-operative relations can emerge.”
Wilson-Raybould says she will continue to advocate in Cabinet for “fundamental shifts in relations with Indigenous peoples.”
Monday’s cabinet shuffle also saw the appointment of Seamus O’Regan as Indigenous Services Minister.
O’Regan takes over for Jane Philpott who was name president of the Treasury Board to fill the vacancy left by Scott Brison who will not seek re-election.
