Honestly, I don’t remember any PM saying, or feeling the need to say, that.
Yep 
That and the fact that Trudeau got his majority on his first try.
Speaking of qualifications, anybody remember Felix Holtmann from the Mulroney years? He had a degree in agriculture, had sat on some hog marketing boards, and was famous (or notorious, notwithstanding that he had a point) for his following comment, among others:
Holtmann was appointed chair of parliament’s committee on communications and culture in 1989. After his appointment, he was quoted as saying, “I don’t understand art, but I do understand one thing - somewhere we’ve got to cut, cut, cut”
An Elections thread on the start of the (Second) Trudeau Era: [Canada] Trudeau gets to work - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board
I agree with this 100% and it’s the best response I’ve heard to the whole “i want the most qualified” argument toward the 50/50 gender split. Until I see an alternative list, it’s a lame argument.
I don’t remember Mr Harper saying that the Liberals weren’t his enemies on taking office. Frankly, I think the words would have choked him. 
Well, he did say the usual stuff like “We will work for all Canadians, even those who didn’t vote for us” or some such. The usual boilerplate. His actions certainly did not follow those words.
First, not that I’m aware of. Second, Obama said it four years before he was elected, and Trudeau said it some time before as well, though I don’t know exactly when.
I didn’t say they were a perfect match, but I was struck by the number of parallels in their elections. The fact that Trudeau won’t be hampered by an obstructionist opposition has nothing to do with what’s happened up to now.
Yay!
On the list. 
For several generations, the British Empire, including what is now Canada, gave ministerships exclusively to males, and not quite exclusively to Anglo-Saxon Christian males, which is a far more egregious case of basing an appointment on such irrelevancies. And yet, somehow, they muddled through. I suspect Trudeau can do the same for a mere several years.
That actually makes sense in a way. A PM, or a chief executive, has to be moderately conversant in a broad range of subjects, whatever his own expertise (or lack thereof).
And environmental geography is at least relevant to Canada’s needs, yes? Pedagogy might be as well, in a way.
“Ginger” is actually UK slang for someone with bright red hair.
Thank you. That is what I thought. It was the “openly” that threw me.
In Canada, French Christian males were included in the club from the beginning of responsible government.
I’m excited about the new MND. 
The new Minister of Democratic Institutions is my MP.
[sub]Note: find out what a Minister of Democratic Institutions actually does.[/sub]
That’s easy: institutionalises non-democrats in democracy indoctrination institutes until they are democratic, whereupon they are released.
The terms will be set out in the letter of appointment. I expect it would deal with the procedural operation of the House (e.g. committee work, free v. whipped votes, MP office budgets, etc.), first past the post, and senate reform.
The Minister for Democratic Institutions has an interesting life story: Maryam Monsef Came To Canada As A Refugee. Now, She’s A Cabinet Minister.
Can’t find the source for the quote, but it seems apropos: “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room”.
Sounds like your new PM has taken that to heart. Glad y’all are excited and hopeful - that beats cynical and jaded every day.
[QUOTE=Northern Piper]
I don’t remember Mr Harper saying that the Liberals weren’t his enemies on taking office. Frankly, I think the words would have choked him.
[/QUOTE]
This stuff is just stupid easy to find:
Election night speech 2006: “Those who did not vote for me, I pledge to lead a government that will work for all of us - we will move forward together … Tonight, although Canadians have voted for change, they have not given any one party a majority in the House of Commons. They have asked us to co-operate, to work together, and to get on with tackling the real issues that matter to ordinary working people and their families. I look forward to working with all of the parties and all members of Parliament to build consensus and move Canada forward.”
2011: "Whether or not you cast a vote for our party, our government must and will stand on guard for all regions, and friends, we shall do that faithfully … I think I can speak for the entire country in recognizing the determination and tenacity of Mr. Layton and his remarkable campaign. This is a day, friends, for which the NDP has long worked … I look forward to working with him in Ottawa … To Ms. May, Elizabeth May, as well, congratulation for the historic victory, no with is more noteworthy for any political party than its first … "
I can’t find a good text of the 2008 speech but the same sentiments are an absolutely standard part of every victory speech.
Still no mention of the Liberals being his not-enemies. 
(And I notice that you left off the 
when quoting my comment. You know, the :p, which is a standard way of indicating that’s a joke, son, a joke!)