Friday, May 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

Pedestrian killed in crash in Abbotsford linked to impaired driving

Pedestrian killed in crash in Abbotsford linked to impaired driving
A male pedestrian is dead after he was struck by what police are describing as an impaired driver in Abbotsford..... Police say the crash happened this morning in the 30000 block of Harris Road, where a white Dodge pickup truck had struck a power pole with enough force to shear off the pole.

Pedestrian killed in crash in Abbotsford linked to impaired driving

Two injured in unprovoked attack at business in Surrey

Two injured in unprovoked attack at business in Surrey
Police in Surrey are on the lookout for a suspect involved in two unprovoked attacks in the city that sent one person to hospital. Surrey police say the attack took place at an unspecified business on 120 Street, where the suspect began by physically assaulting a staff member.

Two injured in unprovoked attack at business in Surrey

Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: Canadian ambassador

Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: Canadian ambassador
Canada's ambassador to France says United States President Donald Trump's invasion threats violate international law. Trump has said he wouldn’t rule out using military force to take over Greenland, which is part of Denmark.

Trump’s invasion threats violate international law: Canadian ambassador

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it
A Conservative government would built a permanent military base in Nunavut and pay for it by "dramatically cutting" Canada's foreign aid budget, Leader Pierre Poilievre said Monday in Iqaluit. Speaking at a press conference Poilievre said CFB Iqaluit would serve as a base for Royal Canadian Air Force operations defending Canada's Arctic and for search and rescue missions.

Poilievre promises a military base in Iqaluit, would cut foreign aid to pay for it

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports
U.S. President Donald Trump said he'll impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States on Monday — and there will be no carve-outs for America's closest neighbours. Trump told reporters about the impending duties on Air Force 1 as he flew to New Orleans to attend Sunday's Super Bowl. The president also said he would announce "reciprocal tariffs" later this week.

Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming Monday for steel and aluminum imports

AI shouldn’t only benefit ultra-wealthy 'oligarchs,' Trudeau tells global AI summit

AI shouldn’t only benefit ultra-wealthy 'oligarchs,' Trudeau tells global AI summit
The world needs regulation to ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence aren't only enjoyed by extremely wealthy "oligarchs", Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a speech Monday at a global conference on AI. Trudeau said that the goal isn’t to stop progress but the technology needs guardrails, transparency and accountability.

AI shouldn’t only benefit ultra-wealthy 'oligarchs,' Trudeau tells global AI summit