Despite restoring roles for women and seniors, disability leadership absent at federal cabinet table
OTTAWA – Political News – Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly unveiled federal cabinet has reignited concerns across Canada’s disability community, after the continued omission of a dedicated Minister for People with Disabilities. While the new Cabinet includes ministers for seniors, women, Indigenous peoples, and even sport, disability advocacy organizations are warning that millions of Canadians with disabilities have once again been left without a clear voice at the Cabinet table.
For nearly a decade, under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada had a minister responsible for disability inclusion. That portfolio played a key role in advancing legislation like the Accessible Canada Act and the Canada Disability Benefit Act, despite criticisms over slow implementation and weak enforcement mechanisms.
“The absence of a disabilities minister sends a troubling message that the urgent needs of people with disabilities are not a priority in Prime Minister Carney’s government,” said accessibility advocates in a joint statement. “Especially as the Prime Minister pursues economic and governmental restructuring, people with disabilities risk being sidelined in decisions that will shape Canada’s future.”
Missed Opportunity for Inclusive Leadership
When Carney first took over as Liberal leader and prime minister earlier in 2025, he reduced the size of Cabinet, eliminating several roles, including the Minister for People with Disabilities and the Minister for Women’s Issues. While the minister for women’s issues has been reinstated in the new Cabinet, the disability role has not, raising alarms within advocacy groups.
“Restoring a minister for women while ignoring disability issues shows a disturbing gap in this government’s approach to inclusion,” said critics. “If we can have a minister for sport, surely there’s room to ensure 22% of Canadians with disabilities have representation.”
Risks of Backsliding on Accessibility Commitments
Advocates warn that Canada is already behind schedule on its legal obligation to become fully accessible by 2040, as required under the Accessible Canada Act. Without a dedicated minister, advocacy groups fear new policies may create additional barriers rather than removing them, particularly as the government responds to global economic threats and domestic restructuring.
Compounding these concerns is the lack of response from Prime Minister Carney’s office to written requests during the recent election campaign, asking party leaders to commit to the Accessible Canada Pledge. Only the Green Party agreed to sign the pledge, while the Liberals remained silent.
Call to Action
While acknowledging that previous disability ministers delivered mixed results, with both progress and delays, advocacy groups stress that having a seat at the Cabinet table remains essential.
“We urge Prime Minister Carney to immediately designate one of his current ministers as the official Cabinet lead for disability issues,” said advocates. “Canada cannot afford to backslide on disability rights, especially in Northern and rural communities where accessibility challenges are already amplified.”
Local Implications for Northwestern Ontario
For communities in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, where rates of disability and aging populations are higher than the national average, the absence of a disability minister raises real concerns about how federal policy will address accessibility in infrastructure, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
