“Because it’s 2015.”

I was pleasasntly surprised to see this clip of PM Justin Trudeau’s response to a reporter’s question about why he was so insistent on having gender parity in his cabinet:

*mic drop*

The Liberal Cabinet will be comprised of 15 women and 16 men, compared to the Conservative Cabinet of 12 women and 27 men. So, what is more spectacular here: adding 3 female Cabinet Ministers, or cutting 11 male Cabinet Ministers? The power is in your perspective.

Is this piece of strategy a reinforcement of affirmative action? Are these women simply filling the 50/50 quota? Or, are these women the best for the job?

But why not put women, or people with disabilities, or visible minorities in the spotlight? Putting them in high-profile positions of power is a huge statement: They can do this job – and so can you. That sounds like a very inspiring and uplifting message to spread to all Canadians. It sets a good example.

I’m looking forwad to the day when gender equality, and equality for all people is simply a non-issue. We will know we’ve achieved true equality when we can stop prefacing everything in terms of gender and race.

Let’s address the issue: identify the problem, implement changes, and move forward. We are all Canadians and we are all equal. Now, let’s stop talking about fluff and move on to the important issues.

And, if you were wondering: