Canada’s 24th Prime Minister, Mark Carney has addressed the media after he and 24 Cabinet Ministers were sworn in at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Friday morning.
In his first act in the country’s highest office, Prime Minister Carney outlined his new government’s priorities.
The government, he says will focus on two priorioties. First, in a reference to the ongoing trade war with US President Donald Trump, Carney says they will protect Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustiffied foreign trade actions.
He also says that President Trump must show Canada respect and he is looking forward to speaking with him.
The second priority, he said, is growing the country by putting more money in Canadians’ pockets.
Carney also appeared to address campaign techniques employed by other political parties.
Carney says negativity won’t pay the rent or the mortgage, bring down the price of groceries or win a trade war.
Its widely thought that Prime Minister Carney will call an election before parliament resumes, which would put election day towards the end of April, or beginning of May.
Among the key cabinet ministers sworn in Friday:
Chrystia Freeland – Transport Minister
Mélanie Joly – Foreign Affairs Minister
Jonathan Wilkinson – Natural Resources Minister
Dominic LeBlanc – International Trade Minister
François-Philippe Champagne – Finance Minister
Anita Anand – Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Steven Guilbeault – Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Quebec Lieutenant
David McGuinty – Public Safety Minister
Nate Erskine-Smith – Housing Minister
Arielle Kayabaga – Government House Leader
Ali Ehsassi – Public Services and Procurement Minister
Kody Blois – Agriculture Minister
There are also 12 other members of cabinet.
Speculation continues about a possible Spring Election.
If Carney calls one next week, we could be headed to the polls by the end of April or beginning of May.