TORONTO, May 14 (Alliance News): In a landmark moment for Canadian politics, Member of Parliament Shafqat Ali has been appointed as Canada’s first Pakistani-origin federal minister, taking charge as the Chairman of the Treasury Board in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet.
Ali secured his second consecutive electoral victory from the city of Brampton, following which Prime Minister Carney included him in the newly-formed, streamlined cabinet. With this appointment, Ali makes history as the first Pakistani-Canadian to join the federal cabinet.
Carney, who recently assumed office, reduced the size of the federal cabinet from 39 to 29 members, citing a focus on administrative simplicity and more effective governance.
According to media reports, most ministers retained their portfolios, though key changes included Melanie Joly’s shift to Minister of Industry and Anita Anand’s appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Shafqat Ali’s inclusion has been met with wide praise from the Canadian Pakistani community, which lauded it as a powerful symbol of Canada’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in political representation.
