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
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver says he got a cellphone ticket for using his points app in the drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
Evacuees concerned over conflicting information on Fort Nelson wildfire
Evacuees staying in Fort St. John have expressed concern about how little they are hearing about what is happening in their now deserted city.
B.C. YouTuber ordered to pay $350K for 'relentless' online defamation campaign
An 'unrepentant' YouTuber has been ordered to pay $350,000 in damages as compensation for a 'relentless' campaign of defamation waged online against a business owner and his company, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
Insurance claims skyrocket and tensions remain high after slew of natural disasters
According to new data released by Statistics Canada, the cost of catastrophic insurance claims in Canada between 1983 and 2008 was $400 million each year.
P.E.I. proposes banning Islanders of a certain age from purchasing tobacco products in new health plan
A new proposal to ban Islanders of a certain age from ever buying tobacco products could put Prince Edward Island at the forefront of the battle against smoking.
'Endless Shrimp' just one misstep for Red Lobster as it eyes bankruptcy protection
While it's unclear what these closures might mean for the 27 restaurants in Canada, Red Lobster is expected to file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. this month.
Ontario's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Of the $40-million Aiden Pleterski was handed over two years, documents show he invested just over one per cent and instead spent $15.9 million on "his personal lifestyle." The 25-year-old Oshawa, Ont. man was arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering on Tuesday.
Indigenous consultant accuses NHL's Blackhawks of fraud, sexual harassment
A consultant the Chicago Blackhawks hired to improve relationships with American Indian tribes has filed a lawsuit accusing the team, its charity foundation and its CEO of fraud, breach of contract and sexual harassment.
Why the speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College's commencement
Kansas City Chiefs' Harrison Butker may have stirred controversy in some quarters for his proclamations of conservative politics on Saturday, but he received a standing ovation from graduates at the Benedictine College commencement ceremony.
Local Spotlight
B.C. musician's song catches attention of Canucks
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
'We're on standby': Team ready to help entangled right whale in Gulf of St. Lawrence
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Thieves caught on camera stealing pet chicken from North Vancouver backyard
A $200 reward is being offered by a North Vancouver family for the safe return of their beloved chicken, Snowflake.
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
Chris Hadfield inspires youth musical in Sudbury
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
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.