Renewing Commitment: Embracing Change- A Grateful Welcome to Canada’s New Cabinet Members

July 27,2023

Ottawa, ON

This week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced broad sweeping changes to his federal cabinet. Children’s Healthcare Canada, the Pediatric Chairs of Canada, and our members would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing cabinet members and welcome new members.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the former Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos. Your unwavering dedication to prioritizing child and youth well-being, and your commitment to advancing the sustainability of children’s healthcare systems, have made a lasting impact on the health and lives of countless young Canadians. Your collaborative approach and passion for our cause have been invaluable, and our child health community will sincerely miss working with you.

We would also like to express our thanks to Minister of Families, Children, and Social Services, Karina Gould, and Minister for Mental Health and Addictions, Carolyn Bennett, for their steadfast commitment towards ameliorating social and developmental systems for children and youth in Canada. Your efforts have brought positive changes and strengthened our collective resolve to ensure a brighter future for the younger generation.

As organizations dedicated to advocating for the health and well-being of children and youth, we have worked successfully over the years with parliamentary leaders to champion the need for a national vision for child and youth healthcare. Collaborating with leaders like you has been instrumental in advancing our shared goals, and we are grateful for your support and partnership.

With the recent announcement of MP Mark Holland as Minister of Health, MP Jenna Sudds as Minister of Families, Children, and Social Services, and MP Ya’ara Saks as Minister for Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, we warmly welcome these new cabinet members. We are excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with you to lead transformative health systems reforms and drive improved health outcomes for Canada’s 8 million children and youth. Your leadership and dedication to public service are commendable, and we look forward to forging strong partnerships to create a healthier, happier future for our nation's young citizens.

As we embark on this new chapter, we reaffirm our commitment to working hand-in-hand with both former and new cabinet members to ensure the well-being of every child in Canada remains a top priority. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our children and youth, and build a healthier, more prosperous Canada for generations to come.

Ann Watkins