Mark Carney will be sworn in as Canada’s prime minister this Friday, the government announced on Wednesday. The inauguration ceremony will take place at Rideau Hall, the official residence, less than a week after his election as leader of the Liberal Party, replacing Justin Trudeau, who resigned in January after a decade in office.
Carney is expected to quickly announce his new cabinet, as his administration will operate independently from the outgoing one, despite belonging to the same party.
After meeting with the current cabinet on Monday, Carney promised a “swift and smooth” transition and assured that he is ready to tackle Canada’s challenges. Among his top priorities are relations with the United States and the ongoing trade war, emphasizing his commitment to “respect for Canadian sovereignty” and a “more comprehensive approach to trade.”
“My government will ensure that our response has the maximum impact on the United States and the minimum impact here in Canada while supporting affected workers. We will maintain our tariffs until the Americans show respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade,” he stated.
Carney was elected on Sunday as Trudeau’s successor with overwhelming support, securing more than 85% of the votes. His competitors, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, and Frank Baylis, lagged far behind with 8%, 3.2%, and 3%, respectively.
His leadership will continue until the next general elections, which, according to local media, could be held as early as April—either by executive decision or through a vote of confidence in Parliament.
Although this marks Carney’s first political role, he has been closely involved in government affairs throughout his career, serving as an economic and financial advisor to both conservative and liberal administrations, as well as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
Upon assuming his new role, he highlighted his experience in crisis management and negotiation skills. “We are not looking for a fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone takes off the gloves,” he said, comparing the situation to hockey and assuring that “Canada will win” against the United States.
The White House has remained cautious during the transition and announced that any negotiations regarding the recently imposed tariffs on Canadian goods will be delayed until Carney officially takes office.
“We want to establish an understanding, make sure we get to know each other, and then negotiate with all of Canada. So obviously, we’ll wait for their new prime minister before beginning discussions,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in an interview with Fox Business.
