New Federal Ministry Sworn In

After a shortened Liberal Party of Canada leadership race, Mark Carney was elected leader. The former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor won the leadership race with 85% of the vote. The race was prompted by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement that he would resign as Prime Minister and Liberal leader once a new leader was elected.

With the party election results confirmed and transition planning complete, Justin Trudeau resigned. On Friday, March 14, as per convention, Governor General Mary Simon invited Mark Carney to form a government, which he accepted. The new federal ministry was sworn in, and Mark Carney became the 24th Prime Minister of Canada. 

The new, leaner cabinet has 24 individuals and 23 ministers (also sworn into cabinet was the government whip) resulting in the smallest cabinet since the 1950s. Prime Minister Carney indicated that the focus of his cabinet would be on growing higher-paying jobs, improving affordability, and making Canada more secure, promising to be action-orientated. 

Of particular interest to AMCTO are the following cabinet appointments:

  • Francois-Philippe Champagne – Finance
  • Domenic LeBlanc – International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs
  • Chrystia Freeland – Transport and Internal Trade
  • Gary Anandasangaree – Justice and Attorney General 
  • David McGuinty – Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  • Nate Erskine-Smith – Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
  • Arielle Kayabaga – Democratic Institutions

While the next fixed election date isn’t until October 20, 2025, an election could be called sooner — either through the Prime Minister’s advice to the Governor General — or in a confidence vote should the House of Commons be recalled on March 24 as scheduled.

In the event the House returns, a Speech from the Throne will have to be read and voted upon. The speech is a confidence measure and could trigger an election if it does not receive the support of at least some of the opposition parties in the minority parliament.  It is expected that there will be more information about the way forward in the coming days.