Tuesday May 13, 2025 | OTTAWA, ON [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC]
Political news analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The members of Canada’s new Ministry were announced in Ottawa this morning by Prime Minister Mark Carney. He told media in a speech after the formal ceremony that it is a small cabinet that will make decisions that are “critical to Canada’s future”.
“Canada’s new Ministry is built to deliver the change Canadians want and deserve. Everyone is expected and empowered to show leadership – to bring new ideas, a clear focus, and decisive action to their work,” said Carney in a news release today.
The Liberals currently have 170 seats (two short of a majority and more judicial recounts are happening) and Carney clearly intends to govern as if the Liberals have a majority government.
Carney had a small operational-style cabinet after becoming Liberal Leader on March 9. This cabinet is 40-strong (himself, 28 in the main cabinet, 10 as Secretaries of State, and the government house leader).
Economy and sovereignty:
The composition of Carney’s cabinet is intended to ‘get things done’ as Canada must adapt and revise its economy for a new trade-relationship geopolitical reality (including regional domestic strengths and inter-provincial fluidity) and also strength of national sovereignty as the current US administration pushes hard on Canada’s stability as a nation.
Canada is a nation based on three peoples — French, English and Indigenous, said Carney.
Labour, business and civil society are in Carney’s view for his goal to be changing things for the better in Canada. He wants to advance nation-building investment with a “core mission is to create the strongest economy in the G7” and “an economy that works for everyone”.
“We will reinforce our relationship with reliable partners. Canada has what the world needs. We defend the values that the world respects. An economy that creates jobs and is resilient in the face of economic shocks,” said Carney in the French portion of his post-ceremony speech today.
Carney itemized fast-tracking nation-building investments and removing barriers to inter-provincial trade as the federal government’s commitment to creating one economy out of 13.
Since mid-March, Carney has already met with premiers of provinces and territories amidst the challenges of dealing with economic tariffs and threats against Canada’s sovereignty.
Carney wants to “help everyone get ahead”. Housing will use Canadian technology, skilled workers and lumber, said Carney today, repeating promises from the election campaign.
There will be a new fiscal discipline. Canada will spend less so Canadians can invest more, he outlined. There will be major change quickly, to build.
Media questions:
“We will build and govern for all Canadians,” said Carney before taking media questions.
“Jobs and growth in incomes is what will help all Canadians get ahead,” Carney told media.
“We’re going to focus on issues that are on the core of that mandate,” said Carney referring to what he promised during the 35-day election campaign ahead of the April 28 election.
Canada-US relations:
Carney outlined that Canada-US relations will be led by himself together with five ministers: Foreign Affairs, Finance, Canada-US Trade, Defence and Public Safety.
Housing:
Housing has a “very clear policy” in his government. Carney said that the new Housing and Infrastructure Minister Robertson brings “views on how the federal government can get municipal costs down and regulation out of the way so we can get houses built”.
The housing crisis is ultimately solved by supply, he insisted. We’re going to have to change how we build. A lot of it has been developed in British Columbia but within a pan-Canadian strategy.
Choosing the cabinet:
What guided all of Carney’s decisions in selecting his cabinet ministers and secretaries of state? Today Carney said today that he wanted the best possible people in the roles, in a cabinet that “reflects Canada in all its diversity, grandeur and experience”.
“The second thing — with respect to Canada-US — (is) all the economic experience in the files and bringing new people into the cabinet.” said Carney. “Canadians elected us with a mandate for change,” said Carney, leading him to guide his cabinet choices based on “new ideas mixed with experience”.
“Half of the cabinet has experience. What’s important is how you govern — run meetings and delegate authority so you get the maximum out of the experience and fresh perspectives,” said Carney with the expected insights of a former top-level economic strategist.
He repeated again that “Canadians voted for major change”. In response to that he brought new perspectives into Cabinet, along with those who bring experience as ministers. He noted that 14 members of the cabinet have ‘extensive experience’ and that 14 are new. “Half and half — for me that’s perfect,” said Carney.
Military in a dangerous world:
Today Carney talked about managing borders and to what degree of interoperability will there be in the Canadian military with the US “in a world that is more dangerous and divided”.
Delivering on campaign promises:
“Canadians elected this new government with a strong mandate to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build a stronger economy, to reduce the cost of living, and to keep our communities safe,” it was stated in today’s news release.
“This focused team will act on this mandate for change with urgency and determination,” the Prime Minister says.
Observations about the new cabinet:
Our first editorial take on the new cabinet:
- In addition to Treasury Board, there are four ministries or ministers of state handling economic matters (Finance and National Revenue; Transport and Internal Trade; Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy; International Trade).
- Regional economic development is seen in ministries for Southern Ontario, Northern Ontario, Quebec, Northern, Prairies, and Pacific.
- Minister of Finance and National Revenue is one combined ministry with a new name reflecting an emphasis on revenue and presumably productivity; there is a minister of state for the new portfolio of Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions which shows Carney will keep an eye the banks and possibly work on some tax reform.
- There are two ministries related to national defence as well as veterans combined with Associate Minister of National Defence.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food continues as a Ministry as does Energy and Natural Resources without fanfare as baseline to the Canadian economy.
- Public Safety is a standalone ministry, reflecting the concerns Canadians have about safety (urban areas, guns, random crime), bail reform).
- Indigenous relations and Indigenous services are covered by two ministers which highlights a priority there.
- Women and Gender Equality gets its own ministry which shows, unfortunately, that gender equality still needs work.
- Environment and Climate Change is a standalone ministry as is Emergency Management and Community Resilience.
- New forward-looking ministries include Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and also Government Transformation.
One economy, not 13:
“The new government will act to catalyze investment and build a new Canadian economy – one that creates higher-paying careers, raises incomes, and can withstand future shocks.” That statement from the PMO today underscores the mantra from the recent election campaign that Canada needs “one economy, not 13”.
Carney says the ministers will “work in collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to advance the nation-building investments that will support the government’s core mission of building one strong, united economy – the strongest economy in the G7”.
45th Parliament:
The 45th Parliament will convene on May 26 with 343 members of parliament: 170 Liberal, 143 Conservative, 22 Bloc, 7 NDP, 1 Green.
The Throne Speech will be delivered by King Charles III in Ottawa on May 27.
Cabinet appointments:
Here are the cabinet appointments as took place at Rideau Hall with Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Mark Carney presiding.
There are 28 ministers, with Carney making it 29, and the house leader bringing it to 30. Some of the ministers are brand new to politics, zooming right to the top of decision-making power for this country.
[Notes/commentary in brackets / by Island Social Trends]
- Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board
- Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
- Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs [Survived the transition from the Trudeau era where she handled key portfolios including procurement and treasury board; she now has a high profile on the world stage.]
- Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety
- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue [Survived the transition from the Trudeau era where he handled key portfolios including industry and innovation; he was briefly Finance Minister in Carney’s first pre-election cabinet.]
- Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
- Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
- Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency [Ran again in 2025 after saying he would step down; Carney reportedly promised him a job that would be less interruptive to Fraser’s family life with young children. He previously held the immigration portfolio and also housing and communities.]
- Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade [Survived the transition from the Trudeau era after resigning from her post as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Now in a role that will be expected to deliver on the inter-provincial trade goal.]
- Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages [Survived the transition from the Trudeau era where his work in Environment and Climate Change was causing political problems in prairie energy-producing provinces; continues in the identity and culture file from Carney’s short-term pre-election cabinet. Will be the defacto ‘Quebec Lieutenant’ for Carney in Quebec.]
- Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services
- Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario [One of the longest-standing Liberal ministers through various portfolios; gets things done and clearly enjoys the job.]
- Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources [This was long-time the file handled by Jonathan Wilkinson who got re-elected last month in North Vancouver but is not in cabinet]
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions [Survived the transition from the Trudeau era where she handled key portfolios including most recently Foreign Affairs]
- Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy [Carries on from the Trudeau era where he has handled many key portfolios over the years; was in Washington last week with Carney to meet with US President Trump]
- Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement [The ideas man – a clearly under-utilized talent when Trudeau was prime minister; a very innovative Ministry through which to apply his ideas for transforming the federal government.]
- Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Steven MacKinnon, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons [Formerly Minister of Labour]
- David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence [Has supported Carney’s goals in the past few months during the dealings with the Trump administration]
- Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
- Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
- Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
- Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
- Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
- Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
- Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario [A former CBC and CTV broadcaster, took time away to work in the United States the past couple of years; now fits like a glove into the governance role.]
- Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries
- Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) [Got her start in the last years of the Trudeau cabinet]
Secretaries of State:
The Cabinet will be supported by 10 secretaries of State who will provide dedicated leadership on key issues and priorities within their minister’s portfolio.
The new Secretaries of State are appointed as follows [notes/commentary in brackets / by Island Social Trends]:
- Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development)
- Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
- Anna Gainey, Secretary of State (Children and Youth)
- Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions) [Apparently rewarded for instigating the demise of former prime minister Justin Trudeau]
- Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors) [Brought in late to the federal race in her riding of Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke; has experience in law around women’s gender issues which translates nicely to an emphasis on seniors which is a predominant population demographic on Vancouver Island]
- Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature) [Poignant that a survivor of the Ecole Polytechnique mass shooting has made it to top leadership in this country. A unique new portfolio that distinguishes Nature distinct from Environment and Climate Change. During the campaign Carney emphasized Canadians having access to national parks and building more urban parks.]
- Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State (Combatting Crime) [A contemporary focus with the public safety issue facing many Canadian cities]
- Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development)
- Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)
- John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour)
Who is not in cabinet:
Re-elected on April 28 but not seen in this new cabinet includes these former high-profile Trudeau-cabinet ministers:
- Bill Blair (former Minister of Defence and before that handled Public Safety),
- Terry Beech (Burnaby-based MP, former Minister of Citizens’ Services), and
- Jonathan Wilkinson (Energy and Natural Resources) who posted a long list of his cabinet-level accomplishments in social media this morning; he had appeared with Carney at a media availability in Delta, BC on April 8.
Elected on April 28 in large part for his expertise in Arctic issues and climate change, Will Greaves (Victoria) was not appointed to this first cabinet though his expertise is likely to be drawn upon by the new Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Rebecca Chartrand.
BC focus:
The most populus provinces Ontario and Quebec have the most representation in cabinet. BC has Canada’s third-largest population — the new cabinet has two full ministers and three secretaries of state.
Only one new Liberal cabinet minister was elected on Vancouver Island (Stephanie McLean in Equimalt-Saanich-Sooke).
BC MPs – Ministers:
- Gregor Robertson (Vancouver Fraserview–South Burnaby) – Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
- Jill McKnight (Delta) – Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
BC MPs – Secretaries of State:
- Stephen Fuhr (Kelowna), Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
- Stephanie McLean (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke), Secretary of State (Seniors)
- Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre), Secretary of State (International Development)
===== RELATED:
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- Liberal government cabinet announcement coming May 13 (May 9, 2025)
- King Charles III to deliver Canada’s Throne Speech (May 2, 2025)
- Carney delivers first speech as re-elected prime minister (May 2, 2025)
- Federal Election 2025 Results – leaders, parties & BC (April 28, 2025 / updated to May 9, 2025)
- It’s time for Liberals on Vancouver Island says Victoria candidate Will Greaves (April 11, 2025)
- Liberal promise for a new home-building sector in Canada would help boost BC forestry sector (April 8, 2025)
- Carney announces Liberal sustainability platform including 10 new national parks & 15 urban parks (April 7, 2025)
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