Liberal Leader Mark Carney, fresh from his decisive win in the Liberal Party leadership race, was sworn in on Mars 14 by Governor-General Mary Simon as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister along with a new smaller cabinet of 23 Ministers (down from the 38 Ministers in Trudeau’s cabinet).
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Carney delivered his first remarks as prime minister of Canada and clearly set out that government needs to “change the way it works”. See the full transcript of Carney’s remarks pasted below.
In the first press conference following he remarks, Prime Minister Carney stated that “Canada is in a moment of crisis” as it deals with the trade war launched by our once closest ally, the United States. He added that he wanted a “leaner cabinet” that will be “action orientated” focusing on protecting Canadians against “unjustified foreign trade actions”. “The cabinet is much smaller because it’s focused on the issues that are most important to Canadians, meeting the moment, and the moment is a moment of crisis,” said Prime Minister Carney.
When asked when he might meet with Trump, he indicated that it would be at the “appropriate time”. No invitation has yet gone out from the White House. The Prime Minster has since travelled to Europe where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minster Kier Starmer. “Forging new trade corridors” was identified by Prime Minister Carney as a key objective moving forward.
It is expected that he will soon be asking the Governor-General for a dissolution of the current Parliament and the issuing of writs for a general election to be held early this spring.
Remarks of Prime Minister Mark Carney Following His Taking the Oaths of Office, Mars 14th, 2025:
Hello, everyone. It is my honour to respond to the Governor General’s request that I form a government, and it’s a solemn duty to serve as prime minister at this time of great consequence for our country.
The ceremony we just witnessed reflects the wonder of a country built on the bedrock of three peoples: Indigenous, French and British. The opening and closing prayers evoke the original stewards of this land to remind us of the deep roots from which we grow and underscore the values to which we aspire. The office of the Governor General links us through the Crown and across time to Canada’s proud British heritage.
On these foundations, Canadians have built a dynamic nation that celebrates its diversity, that cares for the vulnerable in society and that always strives for a better tomorrow.
Canada’s new government is changing how we work, so we can deliver better results faster to all Canadians. We have new ministers with new ideas, ready to respond to new threats and to seize new opportunities.
Canada’s new government is focused on the things that matter most to Canadians: growing more higher-paying jobs, improving affordability and making Canada more secure. Canada’s new government will be action-oriented, driven by a smaller but highly experienced team made to meet the moment we are in.
Our leaner cabinet will focus on two priorities in particular. First, protecting Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustified foreign trade actions. And second, growing this great country by putting more money in Canadians’ pockets, by ensuring the government spends less, so Canada can invest more, by building millions of homes, by making Canada a superpower in both conventional and clean energy, by creating new trade corridors with reliable partners, and by forging one Canadian economy out of 13.
We will relentlessly pursue this positive agenda because Canadians know that negativity isn’t strength.
They know that negativity won’t pay the rent or the mortgage.
The negativity won’t bring down the price of groceries.
Negativity won’t win a trade war.
We know that by building together, we can give ourselves far more than anyone else can take away.
Our country is Canada strong.
Our government is united and strong, and we will immediately get to work with our first cabinet meeting, as soon as I respond to a few of your questions.
