Prime Minister Mark Carney reshapes cabinet, removing 10 ministers including Blair, Petitpas Taylor, and Wilkinson, to reset US ties and boost economy.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a significant cabinet reshuffle, removing 10 ministers from the team he formed just two months ago following his election victory. The new cabinet, sworn in at Rideau Hall, reflects Carney’s urgent mandate to reset Canada’s relationship with the United States and strengthen the domestic economy.
Key Ministers Excluded from New Cabinet
Among those dropped are several high-profile and experienced ministers from the previous Trudeau government who had remained in Carney’s initial cabinet:
- Bill Blair, former defence minister and ex-police chief, who served in various public safety roles since 2015, is replaced by David McGuinty, who moves from public safety to defence.
- Ginette Petitpas Taylor, president of the Treasury Board and a long-serving MP from New Brunswick, is succeeded by Shafqat Ali.
- Jonathan Wilkinson, who held the energy and natural resources portfolio and several environmental roles since 2015, is replaced by newcomer Tim Hodgson, a former Goldman Sachs banker and newly elected MP.
Other ministers removed include Kody Blois (Nova Scotia), Arielle Kayabaga and Ali Ehsassi (both from Ontario), as well as Terry Duguid (Winnipeg), Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Toronto), Élisabeth Brière and Rachel Bendayan (Quebec). Kamal Khera, former health minister, lost her seat in the recent election.
Cabinet Reorganization and New Appointments
Carney’s cabinet now consists of 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state, down from 39 ministers under Trudeau. The reshuffle introduces two dozen new faces, including former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson as housing minister and former broadcaster Evan Solomon as minister of artificial intelligence.
Anita Anand replaces Mélanie Joly as foreign affairs minister, signaling a strategic shift to focus on economic diplomacy amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Joly moves to the industry portfolio, overseeing Canada Economic Development for Quebec regions.
Dominic LeBlanc takes on a new role managing Canada-U.S. trade and intergovernmental affairs, tasked with dismantling internal trade barriers-a key promise of Carney’s campaign. Chrystia Freeland remains minister of transport and internal trade, maintaining continuity in critical portfolios.
Strategic Focus of the New Cabinet
Carney’s revamped cabinet is designed to confront the deteriorating trade relationship with the U.S., sparked by recent tariffs and supply chain disruptions. The government aims to invest billions to diversify Canada’s economy away from overreliance on the U.S. and has committed to reducing public expenditures.
Immediate priorities include cutting taxes, eliminating interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day, and boosting housing supply through innovative solutions like modular homes. The cabinet also commits to capping immigration and strengthening trade ties with countries beyond the U.S.
This cabinet reshuffle marks a pivotal moment as Carney’s government seeks to deliver on its mandate for transformation with urgency and resolve, balancing experienced leadership with fresh talent to navigate Canada’s economic and geopolitical challenges.
