Advertisement

Trudeau went for diversity over competence when picking cabinet: Kevin O’Leary

Conservative leadership candidate Kevin O'Leary says Justin Trudeau focused to much on diversity and not enough on competence when choosing his cabinet.
Conservative leadership candidate Kevin O'Leary says Justin Trudeau focused to much on diversity and not enough on competence when choosing his cabinet. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Conservative leadership hopeful Kevin O’Leary says the prime minister has ended up with a mediocre cabinet because he was more concerned about diversity than competence.

O’Leary says he believes diversity and gender parity is important in government, but if elected, he would balance that diversity with competence.

He said Justin Trudeau made a mistake and prioritized diversity over who was most qualified for the job.

O’Leary noted in an interview with The Canadian Press that most of his returns in the private sector have come from companies run or owned by women, so “of course I’m going to bring women into government.”

WATCH: ‘Because it’s 2015’: Trudeau’s gender-equal cabinet makes headlines around the world

In his first cabinet of 30 ministers, Trudeau said he appointed an equal number of men and women “because it’s 2015.”

Story continues below advertisement

O’Leary said he’d be happy with a cabinet that’s 70 per cent women so long as they were competent.

Sponsored content

AdChoices