New cabinet sees addition of new words to ministers' titles

The new cabinet sworn in Wednesday included some new job titles, and people on Twitter debated the significance of the changes.

CBC News · Posted: Nov 04, 2015 3:21 PM ET | Last Updated: November 4, 2015

Catherine McKenna becomes minister for environment and climate change in Ottawa on Nov. 4, 2015.

The new cabinet sworn in Wednesday included some new job titles, which sparked plenty of reaction on Twitter.

The addition of 'climate change' and 'refugees' got the most attention.

Minister of Immigration, Citizenship AND REFUGEES. Minister of Environment AND CLIMATE CHANGE. Words, people. Important words.
—@melle

Immigration groups happy to see "refugee" , added to title Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship - John McCallum <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbc?src=hash">#cbc</a>
—@OrmistonOnline

Canada now has a Minister of Environment & Climate Change. "Climate Change" is IN HER OFFICIAL TITLE. That's powerful! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SwearingIn?src=hash">#SwearingIn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pm23?src=hash">#pm23</a>
—@whoissuresh

Minister of Environment AND Climate Change <a href="https://t.co/xE9DUQ8iSz">pic.twitter.com/xE9DUQ8iSz</a>
—@Yad_FPEnergy

We (Canada) now have a Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Didn't think I could be impressed just by the name of a ministry - wrong!
—@StephenBHeard

Words matter. Minister of Environment and Climate Change. *dances the dance of small victories*
—@deantiquate

The title of one minister reflected a shift in preferred language from 'aboriginal' to 'indigenous.'

So, what do you all think of the name change? Indigenous and Northern Affairs - no more Aboriginal Affairs.
—@connie_walker

<a href="https://twitter.com/connie_walker">@connie_walker</a> Symbolically important. Preferred term among most people I know. Shift from Harper years. Real test is what they do with it.
—@jessekbutler

<a href="https://twitter.com/connie_walker">@connie_walker</a> anishinabe people never liked the term 'Aboriginal' Indigenous is a much better term that encapsulates us as a people.
—@4everMarvelous

Not everyone welcomed the change, though.

<a href="https://twitter.com/connie_walker">@connie_walker</a> my only concern is that the acronym is back to being INAC which has a profoundly negative legacy in most communities.
—@LoisLowe_

"Indigenous and Northern Affairs." *groaaaaan*
—@Khelsilem

Well at least we're back to calling it INAC. Feels nostalgic really. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndigenousandNorthAffairsCanada?src=hash">#IndigenousandNorthAffairsCanada</a>
—@Khelsilem

The cabinet also included a new post: minister of science.

A brand new portfolio has been created: Canada now has a Ministry of Science. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PM23?src=hash">#PM23</a> <a href="https://t.co/R4ilZqPWpX">pic.twitter.com/R4ilZqPWpX</a>
—@BuzzFeedCanada

Some were left confused by the change.

We now have a minister of science. Was that really necessary?
—@scowen13

Odd that there's a minister of "Innovation, Science and Economic Development" and then a separate minister of "Science" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/trudeaucabinet?src=hash">#trudeaucabinet</a>
—@dylan_reid

Meanwhile, we have two ministers of with “Science” in their job titles. Which one will be the real Science minister?
—@pdmcleod

The minister of innovation, science and economic development has traditionally been known as the minister of industry.

Stephen Taylor, a conservative political consultant, wasn't impressed by the change.

Industry Canada is now "Innovation Canada"? There's nothing government does better than innovate, to be sure.
—@stephen_taylor

Others were happy to see lots of science.

It's great that Trudeau's cabinet has both a Minister of Innovation, Science & Economic Development and a Minister of Science. Go science!
—@peternowak

And even a scientist.

The new minister of science is a scientist. She may, perhaps, accept evolution. Or even understand it. Radical. <a href="https://t.co/D3jrF0HLym">https://t.co/D3jrF0HLym</a>
—@dgardner

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News

Report Typo or Error|Send Feedback

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.