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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a new era in Canada federal politics Wednesday as his majority Liberal government took office and a cabinet of political veterans and rookie MPs was sworn in.

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Trudeau appointed 30 members to his cabinet, half of them women.

When Trudeau was asked why he insisted on gender parity in his cabinet, he said: “Because it’s 2015.”

He has turned to experienced hands for some of the most senior portfolios, while also putting his trust in newcomers to run other departments.

First-time MP Catherine McKenna, from Ottawa Centre, has been appointed environment minister. The other new Liberal star from the area, Orléans MP Andrew Leslie, a former lieutenant general in the Canadian military, was not appointed to cabinet.

Among the other highlights:

– Bill Morneau, a first-time Toronto MP who was executive chairman of one of the country’s largest human resources companies, becomes finance minister.

– Former Liberal leader Stephane Dion is foreign affairs minister.

– John McCallum becomes Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

– Jane Philpott, a medical physician, becomes health minister.