CNN
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new cabinet at Ottawa’s Rideau Hall on Tuesday, saying his department has a “major focus” on the country’s economy after whirlwind elections were catalyzed by tariffs and threats of annexation from the US.
“Canadians have elected this new government a strong mandate to define new economic and security ties with the United States, build a stronger economy, reduce costs of living, and keep communities safe,” Carney’s office said in a statement shortly after the cabinet was sworn in.
The group of 28 pastors features several notable shuffles, including Anita Anand being replaced by Melanie Jolie as Minister of Diplomatic Relations. Jolie became Minister of Industry.
“We have to deal with Americans and make new arrangements,” Carney said at a press conference after the oath ceremony. “But our main focus is on the economy, and our main focus is on the Canadian economy.”
“We will help industrial transformation, this economic transformation, and Mrs. Jolie as Minister of Industry to work with the Cabinet and other members of my own to guide it,” Carney continued.
Regarding the change in relations between Canada and the US, Carney said at a press conference that he “takes the ultimate responsibility” for all diplomacy with Washington, and with the support of five other ministers, he supported foreign affairs, finances, public safety, defense and Canadian US trade.
That last portfolio is currently led by former Minister of International Trade Dominique LeBlanc, who is now Minister for “Canada and the US Trade, Intergovernmental Issues, One Canadian Economy.”
During the campaign, Carney spoke frequently about creating “one economy of one of the 13 (states and territories)” in the face of tariffs from its own company federal taxes in the US and Canada. Again on Tuesday, Carney pledged to quickly track his new Cabinet “to eliminate all federal barriers to internal trade, as a contribution to building the 13 Canadian economy.”
Some ministers held portfolios. Kristia Freeland, a former rival to Carney’s Liberal Leader Race, will remain Minister of Transport. Francois Philippe Champagne, part of the first Canadian delegation to Washington during the initial negotiations on US tariffs, remains finance minister.
Some of the ministers who previously served in the government of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, were quickly pointed out by the Liberal political rivals.
Conservative leader Pierre Poiliervre argued at a press conference Tuesday that the presence of a Trudeau-era figure in Carney’s cabinet indicates that the Liberal Party only offers “the same” to Canadians.
“Overall, there are 14 Ministers Trudeau currently in Carney’s Cabinet,” Polyebre said. “When Canada needs real change, it’s the same.”
A conservative politician who lost his parliamentary seat in April offered the same criticism after Carney’s first cabinet was announced in March.
