The 23rd Prime Minister of Canada was known for his affectionate demeanor, perhaps the most affectionate in the nation’s history. In contrast, the 24th Prime Minister favors a more formal greeting, characterized by a firm handshake accompanied by his left hand resting on the other person’s elbow. Each of the 23 ministers appointed by Mark Carney received a variation of this greeting following their oath-taking.
Carney distinctly embodies a different leadership style. On his inaugural day as Prime Minister, with an election campaign looming just over a week away, he aimed to convey a message of transformation.
“Canada’s new government is redefining our approach to work, enabling us to deliver improved results more swiftly to all Canadians,” Carney stated. “We have appointed new ministers with innovative ideas, prepared to address emerging challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.”
There was no ceremonial procession down the driveway of Rideau Hall, and Carney had only two dozen ministers to swear in—seven fewer than Justin Trudeau’s initial cabinet in 2015 and 15 fewer than his most recent one. Eighteen Liberal MPs who began their Friday as ministers were excluded from the cabinet that Carney proposed to the Governor General. “Canada’s new government will prioritize action, led by a smaller yet highly skilled team, tailored to address the current circumstances,” Carney asserted.
Marc Miller, a childhood friend of Trudeau who had risen to prominence as a minister, was completely removed from the cabinet.
If Carney maintains a smaller cabinet, this shift could significantly impact the government’s operational dynamics. Should this cabinet—or a variation of it—be granted the opportunity to govern effectively after the upcoming election, further discussions will be warranted. However, on Friday, the focus was primarily on superficial aspects.
In a conversation with reporters, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh pointed out that the terms “women,” “youth,” and “diversity” were absent from the titles of Carney’s ministers, and the Minister of Labour has now been designated as the Minister of “Jobs.” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet raised concerns regarding the omission of “official languages.”
Shortly before Carney signed the order-in-council, Poilievre contended that the situation was merely a façade. He raised a copy of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, emphasizing that the legislation enabling the tax remained in effect. Consequently, Poilievre inferred that a government led by Carney could easily reinstate the carbon tax following the next election.
The act will persist unless Parliament decides to repeal it. However, it encompasses more than just the consumer carbon tax; it also includes the carbon pricing framework for industrial emissions. It remains uncertain whether any political party advocates for a complete repeal of the legislation. While Poilievre has criticized Carney’s intention to “improve and tighten” the industrial system, he has refrained from explicitly stating that he would eliminate the industrial pricing component.
Carney may feel he has moved past a contentious issue, while Poilievre continues to assert that the threat of the carbon tax looms over Canadians. Ultimately, the pressing question is what actions each leader would take to lower Canada’s emissions.
The new prime minister may soon return to Rideau Hall to initiate an election campaign, where this will be one of many topics for discussion.