Poilievre blasts Carney for keeping 14 Trudeau-era ministers as tensions rise with United States
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet were sworn in Tuesday at Rideau Hall in a ceremony officiated by the governor general.
The swearing-in introduced a new cabinet structure that includes 30 ministers and 10 secretaries of state.
As reported by BNN Bloomberg, several prominent positions were reshuffled amid mounting pressure to address foreign relations, national unity and economic reform.
Cabinet reshuffle and new appointments
The new cabinet features a mix of veteran Liberal MPs and over 50 percent newcomers.
Notable appointments include Anita Anand as foreign affairs minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne as finance minister, Chrystia Freeland in transport and internal trade, and Dominic LeBlanc in Canada-US trade.
Evan Solomon became the new minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, a portfolio carved out from the industry file.
Mandy Gull-Masty was named minister of Indigenous affairs, and Rebecca Alty will lead Crown-Indigenous relations.
Gregor Robertson, former Vancouver mayor, will head housing and infrastructure, while Tim Hodgson, a former Goldman Sachs CEO, will serve as minister of energy and natural resources.
Sean Fraser, who reversed his decision not to run, took over the justice and attorney general file.
Junior ministers, designated as secretaries of state, include Buckley Belanger (rural development), Anna Gainey (children and youth), and Ruby Sahota (combatting crime), among others.
These positions are expected to see salary top-ups of $74,700, while cabinet ministers receive $99,900 above their MP base pay.
Trade war and foreign relations
The new cabinet faces immediate diplomatic challenges. US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, affecting sectors such as energy, automotive and industrial supply chains.
Carney confirmed that Anita Anand, Champagne, LeBlanc, David McGuinty (defence), and Gary Anandasangaree (public safety) would manage Canada’s response, along with Ambassador to the US Kristen Hillman.
Hillman said lifting US tariffs is “the number one priority” in negotiations.
Trump has also indicated he wants changes to the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), though Hillman said those talks would take place later.
Canadian Prime Minister Carney also spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the leaders committed to strengthening commercial and defence ties and supporting Ukraine.
Domestic policy priorities
Carney outlined his domestic agenda during the post-ceremony press conference.
He pledged to create a modular housing industry using Canadian materials and to increase border and policing capacity by hiring 1,000 RCMP officers and 1,000 border agents.
He also announced a cap on temporary foreign workers and international students.
Carney promised “a new fiscal discipline” where “the government will spend less so Canadians can invest more.”
By Canada Day, the government aims to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, building “one Canadian economy out of 13.”
Conservative reaction and Poilievre’s criticisms
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sharply criticized the cabinet, calling out Carney for keeping 14 ministers from Justin Trudeau’s government. He said, “That isn’t the change that Mr. Carney promised.”
Poilievre also said, “Fourteen Trudeau ministers are now in Carney’s government.”
He accused Champagne of presiding over “the worst economy in a generation” and criticized Freeland for “enormous deficits and tax hikes.”
On cooperation, Poilievre said the Conservatives would work with the Liberals “if we can make gains for our people.” He added, “I want you to steal my ideas,” referring to Carney’s move to repeal the consumer portion of the federal carbon tax.
Reactions and outlook
Former prime minister Jean Chretien, who attended the ceremony, said Carney’s government “will be very stable,” noting that Trudeau governed with a minority for almost four years.
When asked what Carney’s biggest challenge would be, Chretien replied: “To be a good prime minister.”
As Canada faces rising separatist sentiment in Alberta, former Mulroney adviser David McLaughlin said Carney must focus on national unity and energy pipelines.
Meanwhile, voters’ top priorities include jobs, trade and economic issues, according to a Nanos Research survey commissioned by CTV News.
The survey also found nearly three in four Canadians support a united front between opposition parties and the government in dealing with the United States, as Parliament prepares to reconvene.
