Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister and has ended Justin Trudeau’s nearly 10-year tenure.
The 59-year-old former central banker took the oath of office on Friday, naming a streamlined cabinet and pledged to support Canada’s interests in the face of tariff threats from President Donald Trump.
Governor Mary Simon, the personal representative of King Charles, Canada’s head of state, presided over the ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
“We’re building a government that meets in that moment. Canadians are looking forward to action — and that’s what this team has to offer,” Carney said in a social media post.
“A smaller, more experienced cabinet that moves faster, secures the economy and protects Canada’s future.”
New Cabinet
Trudeau’s cabinet consisted of over 30 members, but Carney cut the number of seats to 24, with jobs like Deputy Prime Minister going on the roadside.
The incoming cabinet, sworn Friday, included some Trudeau holdovers and some newcomers. However, some of the cabinet members who returned to Japan were being changed to new roles.
Trudeau’s Finance Minister Dominique LeBlanc is currently heading the international trade portfolio under Carney. Meanwhile, LeBlanc’s post as Minister of Finance is filled by former Minister of Innovation François Philippe Champagne.
Foreign Minister Melanie Jolly is one of those who remained in Trudeau’s status.
Christia Freeland, whose famous resignation sent shockwaves through the Trudeau government in December, has also returned as Minister of Transport.
“The new Canadian government is changing the way we work, so we can provide better results for all Canadians faster,” Kearney said Friday.
“Our lean cabinets will focus on two particular priorities: First, we will protect Canadian workers and their families in the face of unfair foreign trade actions, and secondly, we will nurture this wonderful country by putting more money in the pockets of Canadians.”
“The new Canadian government will be action-oriented, driven by smaller but experienced teams, created to meet in the moment we are.”
Pierre Polyeble, the leader of the conservative opposition, quickly took him to social media and criticized the newly announced cabinet.
“87% of Carney’s ministers were Trudeau’s ministers,” he wrote. “And 100% of Carney’s ministers were in the Trudeau Caucus. They received support from the carbon tax hike and double the debt, housing costs and food bank lineup. Liberals are liberals.”
Faced with federal elections
Until recently, Canada’s Liberal Party appeared to be on track due to massive losses in this year’s federal election.
Trudeau himself faced pressure to resign as liberal leader and prime minister.
But liberal leadership reform, coupled with threats from Trump, has brought new life to the party.
Starting in November, Trump began threatening Canada with 25% tariffs on all exports to the US.
At the same time, he began to put pressure on Canada, becoming the “critical 51st state” of the United States as part of the expansionist agenda. In the past, Trump has refused to rule out economic coercion in his annexation campaign into Canada.
In early January, Trudeau agreed to resign as Liberal leader. But since then he has led the government against Trump’s trade war and against the threat to Canada’s sovereignty.
As a result, liberals surged ahead of the Conservatives in voter polls for the first time in years, eliminating a 26-point deficit in just six weeks.
Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, won the party race on Sunday to become an overwhelmingly liberal leader.
The Canadian federal election must take place by October 20th, but analysts speculate that Kearney might call out earlier to capitalize on the upward momentum of the liberals.
Showdown with Trump
Carney must also face the immediate issues raised by Trump’s trade war.
Already, Trump has increased tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25%, a tax that is likely to hit Canada hard. Already, the country has announced its own retaliatory tariffs.
And Trump has delayed twice 25% tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican products, which tax is currently scheduled to go into effect on April 2nd.
Canada says it will not lift retaliatory tariffs until all US tariff threats are withdrawn.
He also accused Trump of violating the US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA), which the US President signed during his first term.
Carney previously stated that he “respects Canada’s sovereignty” and that if he is willing to receive a “common approach, a more comprehensive trade approach,” he will meet with Trump.
On the steps at Rideau Hall on Friday, Carney asserted that he had no current plans to visit Trump in Washington, D.C., but he highlighted plans to diversify Canadian trading partners.
“The President is a successful business person and a deal maker. We are his biggest client,” Carney said. “Clients look forward to respect and cooperation in a proper commercial way.”
“What we see from this government is that we are focusing on living here and building it together with different partners overseas. And that strengthens the point,” he continued.
He also provided a strong defense of Canadian sovereignty.
“I was clear – I think the minister behind me was clear when asked by the individual – we are never part of the United States to be in any way, shape or form. America is not Canada,” he said.
When asked about a recent statement from the Trump administration about Canada becoming the 51st state, the new prime minister did not etch his words
“C’est Simple: c’est fou. Point Finale,” and Carney provided a loose English translation in French, one of two Canadian languages. “It’s crazy. His point is crazy. That’s it.”
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