Pascale St-Onge making history as the first out lesbian federal cabinet minister
While representation and diversity continue to gradually improve in federal politics, historic firsts are still happening, the latest being Pascale St-Onge’s appointment to cabinet.
She is the first out lesbian to become a federal minister, taking on the role as minister of sport and minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.
“It’s a little bit surprising, because we are in 2021,” St-Onge told CTVNews.ca in an interview on Wednesday, when asked what she thought when she realized this notable milestone in LGBTQ2S+ representation had been reached.
Representing Brome-Missisquoi, Que. after a nail-biter race that came down to less than 200 votes, St-Onge said she feels privileged that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tapped her to join cabinet, and is vowing to bring a new perspective to government decision-making.
“When you have more diversity around the table, there are going to be new preoccupations that are going to be raised, or angles that haven't been seen previously by other people, because we all bring our different experiences to the table,” she said.
'A LOT OF INTERESTS'
While St-Onge said it’s important for these firsts to still be noted, particularly to send the message to young people and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community that there is space for them in politics, “at the same time, my professional past speaks for itself.”
Prior to politics, St-Onge was the president of Quebec-based union organization the Federation nationale des communications et de la culture, where she focused on advocating for the media and cultural sectors. She studied French literature at the University of Quebec, and has a journalism certificate from the University of Montreal.
“Obviously I have a lot of interests in life,” she said.
She also played bass in an indie/alt rock band, Mad June, alongside five friends for around a decade. While it’s been years since they have played, St-Onge said they still get together often.
“It was a good time… But at the same time with my responsibility at the Federation it was like having two lives. A really high-pressure job, and at the same time playing in bars and events at night. So at some point, I had to make a decision, and I went for another passion of mine, which is the arts and the media,” she said.
Deciding to run federally came after taking a call from then national Liberal campaign co-chair and current Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, asking if she’d be interested in running.
“Even though I never thought I would do it, I guess it opened the door and a reflection,” she said. She also said she spoke with Steven Guilbeault about his path, and concluded that she wanted to join in on what she sees as the Liberal government’s push to “make Canada more equal and inclusive.”
'KEEP PUSHING FORWARD'
When it comes to promises made to the LGBTQ2S+ community by the current government, two of the major commitments have now been carried over consecutive elections, left unfulfilled. The 2021 election was the second campaign in which the Liberals pledged to pass legislation cracking down on the harmful practice of conversion therapy, and since 2015 they’ve been pledging to eliminate the blood ban.
“There is still a lot of work to do… We can't take any rights, any human rights for granted. We've seen regression in different countries, so we need to make sure that we're vocal, that we're loud about these issues, and that we keep on pushing forward,” she said.
St-Onge is one of two out queer women in the 44th Parliament, the other being fellow rookie Conservative MP for Thornhill, Ont. Melissa Lantsman. Former NDP MP Libby Davies was Canada’s first openly lesbian MP, representing Vancouver East, B.C. between 1997 and 2015.
While the list remains relatively short, there have been out lesbians elected at other levels of government, including current Alberta NDP MLA Janis Irwin and former Ontario Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne.
St-Onge joins fellow cabinet newcomer and returning Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre, Alta. Randy Boissonault, who has been named Canada’s minister of tourism and associate minister of finance, as well as Labour Minister and St. John's South—Mount Pearl, Nfld. MP Seamus O’Regan Jr. as the cabinet’s queer contingent.
PLANS FOR HER FILES
St-Onge has spent much of the last week in briefings, getting up to speed on her new files, as she will soon be facing questions in the House of Commons about key issues under her responsibility including the ongoing conversation regarding the NHL’s handling of sexual assault allegations, and the upcoming Winter Olympics.
While she is still diving into these worlds, she said a key focus for her will be making sure that Canadian sporting environments are safe.
“We know how important sport is to mental health, and inclusivity, also social connection. And I think to make sure that vulnerable people, vulnerable communities make sure that they feel included, that they can practice physical activity,” she said. “I think that we still have a lot of work to do, but the first steps have been taken.”
St-Onge said the new position is reconnecting her to her past, as a former athlete. She said she was a swimmer from the ages of six to 16, and then she picked up volleyball and was recruited to play while in university. She stopped when she got injured and now largely jogs, swims and goes kayaking for fun.
“I really understand the reality of the competitive world and the federations, with the coaches and everything that goes into making an athlete successful, so I'm really excited to get to know all the stakeholders and make sure that sport has unique and important place in Canada,” she said.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
Local Spotlight
Want to boost your trivia score? Learn from these high school trivia whiz kids
English, history, entertainment, math and geography: high school trivia teams could be quizzed on any of it when they compete at the Reach for the Top Nationals in Ottawa in June.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
'Oh Crap!' New exhibit at Canada Science and Technology Museum explores human waste
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
Regina police hope new biometric monitoring system will save lives in detention facility
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.