OTTAWA – Mark Carney will officially become Canada’s 24th prime minister on Friday, taking over from Justin Trudeau after securing the Liberal leadership in a decisive first-ballot victory last Sunday.
The swearing-in ceremony, which will also see the unveiling of Carney’s new cabinet, is set to take place at 11 a.m. EDT in the ballroom of Rideau Hall, as confirmed by the office of Governor General Mary Simon.
Carney, the former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, wasted no time in preparing for the transition. On Monday, his first official act as Liberal leader was a visit to the prime minister’s office to discuss the handover process with Trudeau. By the end of the day, Carney assured the public that the transition would be both “seamless” and “quick.”
In the days leading up to the swearing-in, Carney has been engaged in high-level meetings with key officials in Ottawa and beyond. Behind the scenes, efforts have been underway to manage the transition of power, including bureaucratic and security preparations. A spokesperson has confirmed that Carney has divested all his assets into a blind trust to ensure transparency in his new role.
As per protocol, Trudeau will formally resign on Friday before Carney takes the oaths of office and allegiance. With that, Carney will assume full authority as prime minister and introduce his cabinet. Many prominent figures who played central roles in handling U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs backed Carney during his leadership campaign, and they are expected to retain key positions in his administration.
Carney takes office amid a period of economic uncertainty and a deepening trade dispute with the United States. At the same time, political polling indicates that the Liberals and Conservatives remain in a tight race, with Canadian voters increasingly concerned about the country’s relationship with its southern neighbor. Meanwhile, Trudeau ends his tenure with his highest favorability rating in the past year.
In his final speech as Liberal leader, Trudeau expressed pride in his decade-long leadership, acknowledging that his agenda was often shaped by unpredictable global events.
With his new government in place, Carney will soon face questions about a potential snap election. As prime minister, he will have the power to call an early vote or navigate a confidence test in the House of Commons later this month. His decision could set the tone for the next phase of Canadian politics.
