Liberal leader Mark Carney has officially been sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon presided over a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday morning.
Carney won the Liberal leadership race just five days ago with nearly 86 per cent of the vote.
Also sworn in on Friday were the Liberal MPs who will make up Carney’s cabinet.
His ministry is much smaller than that of his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January.
Speaking with reporters after being sworn in, Carney said he and his cabinet colleagues have two main priorities.
“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,” he said.
The prime minister said the new government is “changing how we work” to deliver better results faster to all Canadians.
“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,” said Carney.
“Canada’s new government will be action-oriented, driven by a smaller but highly experienced team made to meet the moment we are in.”
Despite touting “new ministers with new ideas,” the majority of MPs receiving portfolios on Friday were part of Trudeau’s cabinet.
There is speculation that Carney may call an election before Parliament resumes in late March.
Carney was asked during Friday’s news conference when Canadians should expect to go to the polls.
“They certainly should expect to go to the polls before November,” he said. The next scheduled election is in October.
Cabinet ministers
Dominic LeBlanc remains intergovernmental affairs minister and also adds international trade.
Mélanie Joly continues to be the foreign affairs minister while Bill Blair maintains the national defence portfolio.
François-Philippe Champagne becomes finance minister, a portfolio which had been held by LeBlanc.
Anita Anand takes over Champagne’s previous portfolio as innovation, science and industry minister.
Former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland is the new minister of transport and internal trade.
Patty Hajdu continues to serve as the minister of Indigenous Services, while Jonathan Wilkinson remains as energy and natural resources minister.
Kamal Khera is the next health minister after former minister Mark Holland announced he would not be re-offering in the next election.
Steven Guilbeault has been named the minister of Canadian culture and identity as well as Parks Canada.
Gary Anandasangaree adds justice minister and attorney general to his existing portfolio of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Ginette Petitpas Taylor remains president of the Treasury Board while Rechie Valdez has been named chief government whip.
David McGuinty continues to be the public safety minister and also adds the emergency preparedness portfolio.
Steven MacKinnon takes on the role of jobs and families minister while Terry Duguid becomes environment and climate change minister, a portfolio that was held by Guilbeault.
Rachel Bendayan becomes immigration, refugees and citizenship, a role that was held by Marc Miller.
Nate Erskine-Smith remains as housing, infrastructure and communities minister, while Élisabeth Brière takes over as veterans affairs minister from Darren Fisher.
Joanne Thompson is the new minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, a role that was held by Diane Lebouthillier.
Arielle Kayabaga takes over as democratic institutions minister while Kody Blois becomes minister of agriculture and agri-food and rural economic development.
Ali Ehsassi is the minister of government transformation, public service and procurement.
