In the Canadian parliamentary system, Prime Ministers must create a cabinet of ministers by appointing members of parliament to different portfolios. Each minister brings their own particular skillset, which makes wise choices essential to the success of the government. This task is further complicated when the PM hopes to make the government’s demographic make-up as representative as possible by choosing ministers with a variety of backgrounds.
In 2015,Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained that he wanted to “present to Canada a cabinet that looks like Canada” and was widely lauded for his unprecedented commitment to diversity and gender parity. However, Trudeau was criticized for selecting ministers with comparatively less experience in federal politics, sparking a debate about meritocracy.
Inspired in part by Trudeau’s pioneering choices, Cabinet Shuffle is a game that lets you explore a simplified version of these decisions in a casual and fun way. It hopes to encourage discussion about identity and politics, while also familiarizing players with the people who govern Canada.