Sunday, February 8, 2026
ADVT 
National

Five things to know about Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Mar, 2025 04:50 PM
  • Five things to know about Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet

Mark Carney was sworn in Friday as Canada's 24th prime minister in a ceremony in Rideau Hall, alongside his new cabinet.

Here are five things to know about the new prime minister's plans and his new cabinet.

Fewer ministers

The most noticeable difference between Justin Trudeau's cabinet and Carney's is its size. The new cabinet is made of 24 MPs — 13 men, including Carney, and 11 women. Trudeau's last cabinet had 37 members.

Carney said his cabinet has two main priorities: protecting Canadians from the effects of the trade war with the U.S. and reining in government spending.

Who's in, who's out? 

Carney's former leadership rival Chrystia Freeland was named minister of transportation and internal trade, but Karina Gould, the only other sitting MP on the leadership ballot, was left out. Gould left cabinet in January to join the race.

Internal trade has become a bigger priority since U.S. President Donald Trump began his trade war with Canada and much of the world. After being sworn in, Carney said that he wants to shift Canada from 13 economies to one national economy.

Nine ministers who previously talked about running for another term were left out: Marc Miller, Ahmed Hussen, Terry Beech, Diane Lebouthillier, Darren Fisher, Jenna Sudds, Ya'ara Saks, Jean-Yves Duclos and Ruby Sahota.

There are three new faces in the new cabinet: Agriculture Minister Kody Blois, Government Transformation Minister Ali Ehsassi and government House leader Arielle Kayabaga.

Carney's first international trip

Carney said that he will be heading to Europe in the coming days to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Carney said the focus of these talks will be to reinforce trade relationships between the two countries and discuss national security. He said that he will have similar discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Carney said he received invitations to visit from France and the U.K.

The Republican elephant in the room

Carney said he has no current plan to travel to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump.

He said he intends to speak with him in the coming days but nothing has been scheduled.

Carney reiterated that Canada will never become a U.S. state — something that Trump has called for in exchange for lifting his tariffs.

Carney called the notion of Canada becoming a U.S. state "crazy."

The prime minister said that Canada is the United States' biggest commercial client, and clients "expect respect" and the ability to work together in a "proper" way.

He also made a specific move to appoint a new minister of Canadian culture and identity. The role is being filled by Steven Guilbeault, formerly the minister of environment, and replaces the heritage file.

Carney said the job will be focused on "reinforcing" all aspects of Canadian identity.

Ending the consumer carbon price

After suggesting he would remove the consumer carbon price by the end of the day, Carney signed an order-in-council Friday to terminate it "as of April 1, 2025."

Carney also said people who have been getting a rebate on the carbon price will get one final payment for the next quarter in April.

The price was scheduled to rise from $80 to $95 per tonne on April 1.

While Carney has long supported carbon pricing as an effective way to reduce emissions, he promised to end the consumer levy during his Liberal leadership campaign.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made opposition to the carbon price a central theme of his attacks on the government, blamed it for cost of living increases and repeatedly called for a "carbon tax election."

When asked when Canadians can expect to go to the polls, Carney said "before November."

MORE National ARTICLES

Seven male suspects sought in B.C. theft of more than $2,400 in fragrances

Seven male suspects sought in B.C. theft of more than $2,400 in fragrances
Police in Richmond are searching for seven suspects in an alleged retail theft of fragrances worth more than $2,400. RCMP say the theft took place on Nov. 11 of last year, when the seven men reportedly entered a store in the 3800 block of Steveston Highway.

Seven male suspects sought in B.C. theft of more than $2,400 in fragrances

Green Party says it will run full slate of candidates in coming federal election

Green Party says it will run full slate of candidates in coming federal election
The Green Party's leaders say they will have a full slate of candidates for the next election, which could be called as soon as next month. Party co-leader Elizabeth May said Tuesday the party is still vetting potential candidates but it expects to run someone in every federal riding.

Green Party says it will run full slate of candidates in coming federal election

After Trump pitches idea, Russian ambassador says Moscow not rejoining G7

After Trump pitches idea, Russian ambassador says Moscow not rejoining G7
Canada disagrees with U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that Russia rejoin the G7 — but Moscow says the idea is a non-starter anyway. Moscow's Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov says "Russia has no interest" in joining the Group of Seven, which he calls an "outdated structure."

After Trump pitches idea, Russian ambassador says Moscow not rejoining G7

Haida celebrate title agreement, Trudeau emotional at ceremony

Haida celebrate title agreement, Trudeau emotional at ceremony
With tears streaming down his face, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a gathering of Haida Nation leaders and community members that he couldn't think of a better place to make one of his final trips as Canada's leader. Federal and Haida leaders signed a historic agreement Monday recognizing Aboriginal title over the archipelago of Haida Gwaii off British Columbia's northern coast.

Haida celebrate title agreement, Trudeau emotional at ceremony

B.C. LifeLabs prepares for rotating closures after notice of strike

B.C. LifeLabs prepares for rotating closures after notice of strike
LifeLabs in British Columbia says some of its more than 100 centres will be subject to rotating temporary closures starting Thursday as part of job action taken by its union workers.  The B.C. General Employees' Union, which represents about 1,200 LifeLab workers, announced the job action Sunday after what it said was months of negotiations and the company's refusal to bring wages and benefits in line with the cost of living.

B.C. LifeLabs prepares for rotating closures after notice of strike

Throne speech kicks off B.C.'s legislative session at time of 'extraordinary change'

Throne speech kicks off B.C.'s legislative session at time of 'extraordinary change'
British Columbia's legislative session opens today amid what Premier David Eby describes as a time of "extraordinary change and uncertainty." Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia is scheduled to deliver the speech from the throne this afternoon, laying out the B.C. government's plan as looming U.S. tariffs threaten the Canadian economy.

Throne speech kicks off B.C.'s legislative session at time of 'extraordinary change'