27. According to Statistics Canada’s after tax Low Income Cut-offs, the overall rate of low income has declined significantly in recent years, from 15.2% in 1996 to 8.8% in 2014. There has also been a marked decline in the rate of low income for recent immigrants to Canada (those who have been in Canada for 10 years or less). Between 2002 and 2014, the low-income rate declined from 26.9% to 20.3% for recent immigrants. Political Participation 28. The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the representation of minorities in the political sphere. Following the 2015 federal election, the Prime Minister appointed a Cabinet with gender parity for the first time in Canadian history, and selected almost 17% of his ministers from visible minority groups. It should be noted that there are currently 47 visible minority Members of Parliament and 10 Indigenous Members of Parliament, representing record high numbers for both groups. 29. The Government established a Cabinet Committee on Diversity and Inclusion with a mandate that reflects the Government of Canada’s strong commitment to those values. The Committee considers issues concerning the social fabric of Canada and the promotion of Canadian pluralism. The Committee: “Examines initiatives designed to strengthen the relationship with Indigenous Canadians, improve the economic performance of immigrants, and promote Canadian diversity, multiculturalism, and linguistic duality”. 30. The Government’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is further reinforced in two elements in the shared mandate letter commitments for all ministers: “Canadians expect us, in our work, to reflect the values we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, hard work, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. We will be a government that governs for all Canadians, and I expect you, in your work, to bring Canadians together.” “You are expected to do your part to fulfill our government’s commitment to transparent, merit-based appointments, to help ensure gender parity and that indigenous Canadians and minority groups are better reflected in positions of leadership.” 31. The Prime Minister’s Office is holding all ministers accountable to these commitments, among others, to ensure progress on the two objectives of recognition and equality. 7