Prime Minister Carney Unveils New Cabinet at Rideau Hall

This morning at Rideau Hall, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his new post-election cabinet, positioning it as a team that is ready to confront the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States and tackle the economic challenges facing the country. Both issues dominated the election.  

The cabinet has undergone a significant overhaul both in composition and structure. As widely anticipated, Carney has reintroduced Secretaries of State—junior ministers tasked with highly focused mandates. While they do not hold full cabinet status, they may be invited to participate in relevant cabinet meetings. The formal cabinet will consist of 28 full members and is gender-balanced, with 14 men and 14 women appointed. Additionally, there are 10 secretaries of state, with 6 men and 4 women appointed.  

Notably, over half of the members sworn in had not previously served in the Ministry under Carney or his predecessor, Justin Trudeau—a clear signal of the government’s desire for renewal and a fresh approach to governance. While the election granted Carney a renewed mandate, it fell just short of a majority and will therefore be at risk of defeat at the hands of opposition parties. Bringing new energy and a new face to the Liberal government will be an important signal to opposition parties to refresh their working relationship in Parliament under a minority government, as well as to the public with respect to the Party’s future election hopes—regardless of when the next election is held.  

The following briefing note identifies the Ministers who kept their portfolios, Ministers who were changed to new portfolios, and MPs who have been named as Ministers for the first time.  

Analysis

With the new Cabinet now formally in place, there will be an expectation that the government will move quickly on key files. Prime Minister Carney has promised legislation and agreements to remove all existing interprovincial trade barriers as well as urgent action on crime and housing. His government will also prioritize diversifying Canada’s international trade relationships while attempting to solve and finalize a new agreement or resolution with U.S. President Donald Trump on the ongoing tariff dispute.

Parliament will return the week of May 26th with the election of a new Speaker and a Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty King Charles III on May 27, the first time the Monarch and not the Governor General has done so since 1977. The Government has indicated it will introduce a Budget 2025 that it hopes to pass by July 1st , which will enact the promised middle class tax cut trimming the bottom rate by 1 percent, remove the GST on first-time home purchases, and remove federally imposed interprovincial trade barriers.  

Sussex is continuing to monitor developments stemming from today’s swearing-in, as well as tracking the legislation, policies and priorities that will mark the return of Parliament. The contents of the new Ministerial mandate letters will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. As always, please feel free to contact your Sussex consultant with any questions.

Click here to read our full briefing to see who's in, who's out, and what's new!