Mark Carney is set to officially assume office as Canada’s prime minister on Friday, with his swearing-in ceremony taking place at Rideau Hall.
The former central banker secured a decisive victory in the Liberal leadership race on Sunday and will be formally inaugurated at 11 a.m., alongside his new cabinet, as per an official statement from Rideau Hall.
Carney is expected to form a leaner cabinet compared to Justin Trudeau’s 36-member team. Several key ministers, including those handling justice, heritage, and trade, have opted out of seeking reelection, which will influence his selection process. Additionally, Carney faces the decision of whether to integrate leadership rivals Karina Gould and Chrystia Freeland into his administration.
He must also determine if ministers currently managing Canada-U.S. relations, such as Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, should retain their roles.
Since winning the leadership race on March 9, Carney has been engaged in national security and trade briefings, along with other transition meetings. On Wednesday, he visited a steel mill in Hamilton, just as former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
He has also met with key figures including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan.
While Carney is poised to become Canada’s 24th prime minister, his tenure could be short-lived, as speculation grows over an impending election call. He has not ruled out an early election, suggesting a vote could take place before Parliament reconvenes on March 24.
However, concerns remain within Liberal circles, as the party still lacks candidates in multiple ridings, particularly in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.
Despite being reportedly well-funded, the Liberals have the fewest nominated candidates among the major parties, with only 170 in place.
The Conservatives lead with 246 candidates, followed by the NDP with 188 and the Greens with 190. The timing of the election call remains uncertain, though some insiders suggest it could come as early as Sunday.
BDST: 1127 HRS, MAR 13, 2025
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