Mark Carney, leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, was officially sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister on Friday, replacing Justin Trudeau, according to Al Jazeera.
Carney, the 24th Prime Minister of Canada, took the oath of office in both French and English. The economist and former central banker steps into the role amid heightened tensions over US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats against Canada.
“Today, we’re building a government that meets the moment. Canadians expect action — and that’s what this team will deliver. A smaller, experienced cabinet that moves faster, secures our economy, and protects Canada’s future,” Carney stated in a post on X.
He added, “Right now, we’re building a government that will deliver what our country needs most. We’re going to protect Canadians during this crisis and build a stronger economy for the future.”
Opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has been vocal in his criticism of Carney, drawing comparisons between him and Trudeau, and their government’s unpopular policies. Despite serving as an economic adviser to Trudeau, Carney was never an elected member of the Canadian Parliament.
Shortly after Carney’s swearing-in, Poilievre commented on X, pointing out that many members of the new Prime Minister’s cabinet had also served under Trudeau. “A Liberal is a Liberal is a Liberal,” the Conservative leader remarked.
Carney has echoed Trudeau’s stance on US tariffs, calling them “unjustified.” Speaking at a steel plant in Ontario on Wednesday — the day 25 percent US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum took effect — Carney expressed his government’s intent to initiate discussions with the Trump administration.
“We are ready to sit down with the Americans, with the US government,” Carney said. “I’m ready to sit down with President Trump at the appropriate time, under a position where there’s respect for Canadian sovereignty and we’re working for a common approach, a much more comprehensive approach for trade.”
Carney emphasized that both Canadian and American workers would “be better off when the greatest economic and security partnership in the world is renewed.”
