Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada, has been sworn in as Canada’s prime minister, forming a leaner cabinet of 24 members, down from 37.
Elected leader of the Liberal Party last Sunday in Ottawa, Carney has been working to distance himself from his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, who held office for over nine years.
His first cabinet, featuring familiar faces, will serve only briefly, with an election on the horizon.
“We are a very focused government, focused on action, and we will work immediately,” Carney said at Rideau Hall. “Canada’s new government is focused on what matters to Canadians.”
He pledged to protect Canadian workers from President Trump’s tariffs and grow the economy by “putting more money in Canadians’ pockets.” His campaign centred on “spend less and invest more,” with a focus on expanding trade corridors with allies.
“The numbers in the cabinet are smaller because this is a moment of crisis… It is a smaller cabinet, and all ministers are senior. They are all front line,” he said.
Eight former ministers, including Trudeau, have announced they will not run in the upcoming federal election.
Carney’s cabinet is set to meet for the first time Friday afternoon. Next week, he will travel to London and Paris to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. He has yet to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Earlier Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, attending a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, reiterated Trump’s frequent remark that Canada would benefit from becoming the 51st U.S. state.
“It’s crazy,” Carney responded at a press conference. He also hinted with a smirk that Canadians would head to the polls “definitely before November.”
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially resigned Friday morning after a private meeting with Governor General Mary Simon, recommending that she invite Carney to form the new government.
Trudeau later shared a farewell message to Canadians on social media:
“Thank you, Canada — for trusting in me, for challenging me, and for granting me the privilege to serve the best country, and the best people, on earth.”
