Ottawa, March 14, 2025 – Canada officially has a new prime minister as Mark Carney took the oath of office at Rideau Hall, succeeding Justin Trudeau, who formally resigned after nearly a decade in power. Carney, pledging to get “straight to work,” has unveiled a pared-down, 23-member cabinet, significantly smaller than Trudeau’s last 36-member team.
Arriving at Rideau Hall, Carney emphasized his government’s priorities in three words: “change, focus, action.” Unlike his predecessor, he opted for a modest arrival, walking in from the side entrance rather than Trudeau’s grand entrance in 2015.
Trudeau Officially Steps Down
Earlier in the day, Justin Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon in a private meeting to make his resignation official. Reflecting on his time in office, he expressed gratitude to Canadians, stating:
“Thank you, Canada — for trusting in me, for challenging me, and for granting me the privilege to serve the best country, and the best people, on earth.”
Carney’s Cabinet: Who’s In and Who’s Out
Carney’s 23-member cabinet consists of 12 men and 11 women, but notably, no representation from Alberta or Prince Edward Island. The lineup includes seasoned leaders, returning ministers, and new voices, selected with a focus on economic and security priorities rather than regional representation or gender balance.
Several former cabinet ministers, including Karina Gould, who was a contender for the Liberal leadership, were left out of the new government. However, Chrystia Freeland, Carney’s key leadership rival, has been included.
Full List of Carney’s Cabinet
- Dominic LeBlanc – Minister of International Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, and President of the King’s Privy Council
- Mélanie Joly – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
- François-Philippe Champagne – Minister of Finance
- Anita Anand – Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry
- Bill Blair – Minister of Defence
- Patty Hajdu – Minister of Indigenous Services
- Jonathan Wilkinson – Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
- Ginette Petitpas Taylor – President of the Treasury Board
- Steven Guilbeault – Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada, and Quebec Lieutenant
- Chrystia Freeland – Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
- Kamal Khera – Minister of Health
- Gary Anandasangaree – Minister of Justice, Attorney General, and Crown-Indigenous Relations & Northern Affairs
- Rechie Valdez – Chief Government Whip
- Steven MacKinnon – Minister of Jobs and Families
- David McGuinty – Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Terry Duguid – Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- Nate Erskine-Smith – Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities
- Rachel Bendayan – Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship
- Elisabeth Briere – Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency
- Joanne Thompson – Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
- Arielle Kayabaga – Government House Leader and Minister of Democratic Institutions
- Kody Blois – Minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Rural Economic Development
- Ali Ehsassi – Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services, and Procurement
Gould Responds to Cabinet Exclusion
Karina Gould, who previously served as Government House Leader and ran for the Liberal leadership, has been left out of the cabinet. Reacting to the decision, she stated:
“My sincere congratulations to my colleagues who were sworn into cabinet today. Our country is at a critical moment in history, and I know this leadership team is right for the challenges ahead.”
Carney’s Next Steps: U.S. and International Relations
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has confirmed she is working on arranging a call between Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming days. However, she did not confirm whether Carney plans to travel to Europe next week.
“Canada wants to foster new partnerships in the world,” Joly stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to global engagement.
Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has scheduled a press conference at 2 p.m. EDT, signaling the start of his campaign against Carney’s leadership as the next federal election approaches.
Conclusion
With a streamlined cabinet and a focus on economic and security matters, Mark Carney officially begins his tenure as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister. His first tasks will be addressing domestic concerns while navigating international relations, including trade tensions with the U.S. and diplomatic engagements with world leaders.
