Economist and political newcomer Mark Carney has officially taken office as Canada’s new prime minister, vowing to maintain the country’s sovereignty and distance from the United States.
Carney assumed leadership on Friday, just days after winning the governing Liberal Party’s leadership contest. His tenure begins amid an escalating trade dispute with US President Donald Trump.
During his first address, Carney emphasized national unity, stating, “By working together, we can create more for ourselves than anyone could take away.”
Carney succeeds Justin Trudeau, who served as prime minister for nine years, following a decisive victory in the recent Liberal leadership race.
When asked about Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become America’s 51st state, Carney firmly dismissed the idea. “We will never, in any shape or form, be part of the US,” he declared, calling the notion “absurd.”
Though he did not specify a timeline for the next federal election, currently slated for October, Carney suggested he would seek a strong mandate to govern effectively.
In his first executive action, he scrapped the consumer carbon pricing program—a signature policy of the Trudeau administration that had become increasingly unpopular due to rising inflation. However, an industrial carbon tax on major emitters remains in place.
Carney inherits a volatile political landscape, largely shaped by Trump’s trade policies, which pose a significant economic threat to Canada. He has vowed to uphold reciprocal tariffs on US goods for as long as Trump maintains sweeping levies on Canadian exports outside the CUSMA trade agreement.
His cabinet includes several former Trudeau ministers, particularly those who have been involved in negotiations with the Trump administration. Mélanie Joly remains foreign affairs minister, David McGuinty stays in public safety, and Jonathan Wilkinson continues as energy minister. Meanwhile, Dominic Leblanc has shifted from finance to trade, while François-Philippe Champagne takes over the finance portfolio.
As the next election approaches, Carney’s main challenger will be Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has criticized Liberal policies, arguing that they have failed to improve affordability. Poilievre vowed that, if elected, he would take a tougher stance against Trump’s tariffs.
The upcoming election will also see the Liberals facing competition from the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party (NDP). NDP leader Jagmeet Singh criticized Carney’s cabinet choices, arguing that they fail to represent progressive Liberals and neglect key portfolios, such as those for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
With economic uncertainty and political tensions running high, Carney’s leadership is set to be tested in the months ahead.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1207 HRS, MAR 15, 2025
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