Crowds of Canadians expected to attend swearing-in events at Governor General’s official residence
Canada’s new Liberal government will be officially installed today with a ceremony steeped in tradition along with a few modern twists.
The gates of Rideau Hall in Ottawa swing open at 9 a.m. to welcome members of the public, who are invited for the first time to take part in the day’s events. Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau arriving with his team of cabinet ministers to be sworn in to office.
After the ministers arrive en masse, they will walk together to the doorstep of Rideau Hall and proceed to the ballroom where the formal 90-minute ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.
Chrétien, Turner to attend
Former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and John Turner are among the VIPs who will be in attendance.
Trudeau’s cabinet is expected to represent Canada’s regional and ethnic diversity, and include a mix of fresh blood and those with political experience. Fulfilling a promise for gender balance, half of the expected 28 members will be female.
“It’s a historic day for women,” said Sheila Copps, a long-time Liberal cabinet minister and deputy prime minister to Jean Chrétien. “Gender parity in the national cabinet is huge. It sends a great message to our daughters and sons.”
When she first entered provincial politics in 1981, Copps was the only woman in a caucus of 34. She believes that gender parity will ensure “strength in numbers” and change the parliamentary dynamic for the better.
After the ballroom ceremony, Canada’s 23rd prime minister will deliver a statement in front of Rideau Hall, accompanied by his new inner circle.
At 1:30 p.m. ET, Trudeau will host a Google Hangout with children at five schools. The public can follow the conversation online at the prime minister’s Youtube channel.
And following that, the team will get right down to work, holding its first cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill.
Keen interest in Trudeau
Ron Stagg, a political historian at Toronto’s Ryerson University, expects the keen interest in Trudeau will continue in Canada and abroad because he is young, projects a positive image that’s in contrast to his predecessor, and is the son of former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
“Part of this expectation stems from the tone set by the campaign and part from the disenchantment of many voters with the Harper government and the negative atmosphere it created in the years of majority government,” he said. “One very positive effect of the Liberal versus Conservative polarization is that it has brought youth back into the political process.”
The next fixed federal election date is Oct. 21, 2019.
Source: www.cbc.ca/news/politics