Mark Carney Sworn In as Prime Minister: Kamal Khera Becomes Health Minister, Marc Miller Dropped As Immigration Minister

Mark Carney officially became Canada’s 24th prime minister today in a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall, vowing to hit the ground running with a government focused on “change, focus, and action.” Addressing reporters before the ceremony, Carney emphasized his commitment to swift decision-making and a streamlined approach to governance.

“We are a government focused on action. We’re ready to get straight to work,” he stated as he entered Rideau Hall.

This transition follows Justin Trudeau’s formal resignation after nearly a decade in power. Trudeau, who first announced his decision to step down in January, met privately with Governor General Mary Simon earlier today to finalize his departure. In a farewell message to Canadians, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

Carney is making significant adjustments to the cabinet structure, opting for a smaller team of around 20 ministers—nearly half the size of Trudeau’s last cabinet. The shift moves away from previous considerations of gender balance and regional representation in favor of a more streamlined and efficiency-driven approach.

Among the major appointments, Kamal Khera has been promoted to Minister of Health. Khera, recognized for her strong fundraising efforts for the party, steps into the role at a critical time for Canada’s healthcare system.

Francois-Philippe Champagne, a key Carney supporter, has been elevated to Minister of Finance, replacing Dominic LeBlanc, who will take on a new but yet-to-be-disclosed portfolio, likely still linked to Canada-U.S. relations. Meanwhile, Mélanie Joly retains her position as Minister of Foreign Affairs, providing continuity in Canada’s global diplomatic engagements.

Other notable appointments include:

• Gary Anandasangaree as Minister of Justice and Attorney General

• Chrystia Freeland returning to cabinet as Minister of Transport

• Steven Guilbeault taking on additional responsibilities as Quebec Lieutenant while overseeing heritage, biodiversity, and conservation

Several prominent ministers from Trudeau’s cabinet, including Jean-Yves Duclos and Marc Miller, have been dropped, while others who have announced they will not seek re-election, such as Harjit Sajjan and Mary Ng, are also being replaced.

Following the swearing-in, Carney is set to hold his first cabinet meeting at 2 p.m. EDT, where key priorities and immediate decisions will be discussed. He is also expected to take questions from reporters, with speculation already swirling about his approach to international relations, particularly his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

As Carney assumes leadership, he faces an increasingly competitive political landscape, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre already intensifying his attacks. Poilievre has scheduled a press conference at the same time as Carney’s first cabinet meeting, signaling an early challenge to the new prime minister’s agenda.

With a trimmed-down cabinet and a promise of swift action, Carney’s leadership marks a clear departure from Trudeau’s governance style. Whether this strategy will resonate with Canadians remains to be seen as the country watches closely for the first moves of its new prime minister.