FULL SPEECH | Carney pledges stronger economy, says new cabinet built for ‘hinge’ moment
Speaking outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa Tuesday after swearing in 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state, Prime Minister Mark Carney said his cabinet members are expected to show leadership and bring new ideas in order to accomplish their work.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a smaller, more focused cabinet at Rideau Hall today.The new cabinet has 28 ministers, supported by 10 secretaries of state. It includes a mix of many new faces and some veterans.The 24 new names include Shafqat Ali, Jill McKnight, Tim Hodgson, Eleanor Olszewski, Mandy Gull-Masty, Joël Lightbound, Gregor Robertson, Evan Solomon, Wayne Long and Nathalie Provost.Anand, Champagne, LeBlanc, McGuinty and Anandasangaree will all play a role in managing Canada-U.S. relations. Cabinet’s first meeting will be held tomorrow.Parliament will return May 26, with the throne speech on May 27, being given by King Charles.Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said his party will oppose the federal government, but not “reflexively.”Updates
May 13
26 minutes ago
Let the work begin
Catharine Tunney
Prime Minister Mark Carney watches over the cabinet swearing-in at Rideau Hall on Tuesday. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters)With today’s cabinet reveal behind him, Carney can now focus on tackling his agenda, which includes lowering interprovincial trade barriers and bringing in a tax cut by July 1. There’s also the massive lift of negotiating a new trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Those priorities will be further articulated on May 27, when King Charles will deliver the speech from the throne.
Carney pitched himself to voters as a man who will get big things done. It’s clearly an attribute he will judge his inner circle on as well.
“Everyone is expected and empowered to show leadership — to bring new ideas, a clear focus and decisive action to their work,” he said of his cabinet Tuesday.
Carney’s ability to get things done is a standard that the Opposition, journalists and the public will be closely watching in the months to come.
51 minutes ago
U.S. ambassador weighs in
Catharine Tunney
Michigan Republican Party chair and incoming U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra back in March. (Dieu-Nalio Chery/Reuters)President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ottawa offered congratulations to Carney’s new cabinet.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra posted on social media that he is “looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting down to work together on the important issues that will make our countries safer, more secure,and more prosperous.”
59 minutes ago
Poilievre on the Alberta referendum question
Catharine Tunney
Poilievre was asked about the increasingly loud movement from some in Alberta to put a referendum question forward to separate from Canada.
The Conservative leader, who plans to run in the Alberta riding of Battle River–Crowfoot in order to lead the Opposition from the House, said he’s against separatism.
He did say, however, many Albertans have legitimate grievances with the federal government when it comes to natural resource projects.
1 hour ago
Poilievre tells Carney to steal his ideas
Jayden Dill
Poilievre delivered a direct message to Prime Minister Mark Carney: “Steal my ideas.”
The Conservative leader said his party has great ideas, before accusing the Liberals of copying some of their policies to get elected.
Nonetheless, Poilievre said he wants to make sure the government was sincere about their campaign promises.
1 hour ago
Poilievre lays out a new goal for Opposition — or does he?
Catharine Tunney
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to journalists in Ottawa earlier this month. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre started his speech in a far more magnanimous tone than we’ve often heard from him, laying out a new vision for the Official Opposition.
Conservatives will oppose the federal government, but not reflexively, he said.
However, Poilievre then went down the list of Trudeau-era ministers who remain in Carney’s cabinet and took aim at their CVs one by one — very reminiscent of the leader we’ve come to know.
He, of course, will not be in the House when it opens on May 26, after losing his seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton.
1 hour ago
Carney’s plan to bring back ‘true cabinet government’ might sound familiar
Michael Woods
Prime Minister Mark Carney gestures as he arrives for a news conference outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Tuesday. (Blair Gable/Reuters)In his prepared remarks, Carney emphasized a “commitment to true cabinet government, with everyone expected and empowered to show leadership.”
He added that ministers would “bring new ideas, a clear focus and decisive actions to their work.”
In other words, cabinet ministers will have authority to lead, but the prime minister’s expectations for delivery will be high.
If the talk of returning to “true cabinet government” sounds familiar, that’s because Justin Trudeau proclaimed “government by cabinet is back” at his 2015 swearing-in.
That was in response to the perception of increasingly centralized control under Stephen Harper and his PMO.
Nearly 10 years later, here we are again.
1 hour ago
New cabinet members reflect Canadians’ vote for change
Jayden Dill
Half of Carney’s cabinet is brand new to the Privy Council. And while the prime minister said it was important to reflect the change Canadians voted for, balancing new and experienced perspectives is also key.
The prime minister added that how he himself governs is crucial, noting “we intend to have a true cabinet government.”
1 hour ago
‘I don’t want a cabinet that just looks like me’
Darren Major
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for a news conference as members of the new cabinet stand behind him outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Tuesday. (Blair Gable/Reuters)When asked what considerations went into making his front bench, Carney responded that he wanted the “best possible people in the roles,” and that he wanted to ensure it reflected Canada’s diverse voices.
“I don’t want a cabinet that just looks like me. That’s not a cabinet that supports, that’s not a cabinet you can delegate authorities to,” Carney said.
The prime minister also said he wanted to strike a balance of ensuring his cabinet had some experience — but also included some new blood.
Carney added a total of 24 new faces to cabinet that previously haven’t held portfolios: 15 full ministers and nine secretaries of state. Of those 24 people, 13 are first-time MPs.
“Canadians elected us with a mandate for change, so there is a great deal of change in this cabinet by necessity,” Carney said.
1 hour ago
Should the NDP get official party status?
Catharine Tunney
The NDP was decimated on election night, reduced to just seven seats. That’s five short of what’s needed to be a recognized party in the House of Commons.
Being a recognized party in the House grants certain privileges that the New Democrats have now lost, including a guaranteed question in the daily question period, participation in committees, and funding for the leader’s office and research bureau.
There has been chatter around whether Carney would offer official party status to interim NDP Leader Don Davies, perhaps to secure votes needed to pass legislation. (The Liberals have a strong minority government, but a minority nonetheless.)
Carney said that’s a question for Parliament.
“I note the fact that Canadians have made their decision,” he said in French.
“There are very few members of the NDP in Parliament, and that is a decision made by Canadians, not by me.”
2 hours ago
Carney names ministers leading Canada-U.S. relations
Jayden Dill
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand takes part in the cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on Tuesday. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)While Carney said he ultimately takes responsibility for Canada-U.S. relations, he said Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Defence Minister David McGuinty and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree will all play a role, as ministers with relevant portfolios.
