We were committed at the time of the convention, and through the last debate, to put a free vote to the next Parliament on this issue, ... It will be a genuinely free vote when I am prime minister. I will not whip the cabinet; cabinet can vote as they want.
Obviously I've tried my best within a small cabinet to try to represent all these different balances while at the same time obviously taking into account the skills and experience of individuals.
People who are in cabinet have more responsibility, but everyone in caucus, every elected member of this caucus, has equal power.
Our team is talented and diversified and reflects Canada and we will work hard for all Canadians. The Cabinet that I have put together is smaller, but it will be more focused and more effective.
My smaller cabinet and more streamlined cabinet structure are designed for work -- not for show.