Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled his cabinet, with a strong focus on the economy and United States trade relations.
The ministry has been confirmed, two weeks after the election, with a total of 24 new faces present, including 13 first-time MPs, and with a total 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state.
Despite plenty of new blood, several remain from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, including Melanie Joly, Chrystia Freeland, Anita Anand, Gary Anandasangaree, Sean Fraser and Dominic LeBlanc.
However, housing, immigration and energy have been given to first-time ministers, after the Trudeau administration faced heavy criticism for those portfolios.
Anand is the new foreign minister, Joly was shifted from foreign affairs to industry, Anandasangaree is no longer justice minister but will handle the role of public safety, a department that will oversee border security, which Trump has cited as a key reason for imposing tariffs on Canada as well as Mexico.
The portfolio of international trade has been handed over to Toronto-area MP Maninder Sidhu and David McGuinty, who previously held the border security position, will now oversee defence, taking over from Bill Blair.
Blair, alongside the natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson, were removed from cabinet.
“Canada’s new Ministry is built to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve," Carney said.
"Everyone is expected and empowered to show leadership – to bring new ideas, a clear focus, and decisive action to their work.”
This fresh cabinet reshuffle comes as Canada-U.S. trade tensions remain high, with President Donald Trump enforcing a 25% tariff on Canadian exports since March.
Canada's ambassador said that the lifting of these tariffs will be a top priority in negotiations with the Trump administration.
“Dealing with those tariffs, and getting Canada into a position where we are finding stability in the trading relationship, is our number one priority with the Americans,” Ambassador Kirsten Hillman said.
“There is no discussion to be had with the Americans without that being on the table from Canada’s perspective. That is a starting point for us.”
