Prime Minister appoints new cabinet, including new environment minister

Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the members of Canada’s new Ministry. Canadians elected this new government with a strong mandate to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build a stronger economy, to reduce the cost of living, and to keep our communities safe. This focused team will act on this mandate for change with urgency and determination.

The new government will act to catalyze investment and build a new Canadian economy – one that creates higher-paying careers, raises incomes, and can withstand future shocks. They will work in collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to advance the nation-building investments that will support the government’s core mission of building one strong, united economy – the strongest economy in the G7.

“Canada’s new Ministry is built to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve,” stated Carney. “Everyone is expected and empowered to show leadership – to bring new ideas, a clear focus, and decisive action to their work.”

Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Julie Dabrusin is a long-time resident of Toronto–Danforth who has worked with the community on taking action to fight climate change. She was previously a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and a Member of the Natural Resources Committee.

Prior to becoming Member of Parliament Julie practiced law for many years, including work on the Toronto External Contracts Inquiry which investigated the city’s procurement of goods and services. Dabrusin left her practice to raise her daughters and to participate more actively in the local community. She soon became known as a strong community leader, which earned her the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for Community Service in 2013. Her activities included launching the Second Harvest Danforth Hunger Squad, founding Friends of Withrow Park, and working with local food banks and farmers’ markets.

Dabrusin was first elected to Parliament in 2015 and has developed expertise in various areas government.

Her action on the environment and climate change includes work to modernize the Canada Environmental Protection Act, which includes developing the ban on single-use plastics and building a circular economy that places responsibility on the producers of waste to ensure that their items do not end up in landfill. She has supported putting a price on carbon pollution, has taken a strong stance against oil sands expansion, and has promoted the critical need for a transition from fossil fuels to a low-carbon economy. She has shared the priorities of local environmental groups with her colleagues in Ottawa. As a local resident who relies on cycling, walking and transit to get around the city, Julie is committed to federal support for public transit and cycling infrastructure.

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Featured image credit: Getty Images.