OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is poised to unveil his new cabinet at Rideau Hall on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, marking a significant moment in his nearly three-month tenure as Canada’s leader. This cabinet is expected to be a slimmed-down front bench, reflecting Carney's commitment to a more business-minded approach to governance.
Rideau Hall confirmed the timing of the swearing-in ceremony in a media release on Friday, May 9, 2025. Political analysts note that Carney aims to draw a sharp contrast with the previous administration led by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with expectations that about one-third of the new cabinet could feature fresh faces.
Marci Surkes of the Compass Rose Group remarked, “Carney will seek to draw a sharp contrast between his government and that of former prime minister Justin Trudeau.” She added that while Carney needs to signal change, he must also consider retaining key figures who have established relationships in the U.S., such as Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. “The tough decision points here for Mr. Carney are how many of these veterans, who do have deep value, can you maintain when you are trying to signal change and trying to signal that you’re trimming the size,” Surkes explained.
During the election campaign, the Conservatives frequently accused Carney of being cut from the same cloth as the unpopular Trudeau, speculating that his cabinet would mirror Trudeau's in both personnel and policies. However, the Liberals have attracted a number of star candidates who could be elevated to cabinet. Notable among them are former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson, Quebec’s former finance minister Carlos Leitão, and prominent gun control advocate Nathalie Provost. Other candidates to watch include Jill McKnight, former head of the Delta Chamber of Commerce in British Columbia, and Buckley Belanger, the first federal Liberal elected in Saskatchewan since 2019.
Carlene Variyan of Summa Strategies noted that it is rare to see “this quantity of fresh talent” come into a government’s fourth term. “Canadians I think are willing to give Carney a lot of rope at this point to do what he believes needs to be done, and that includes everything from significantly shaking up who in the Liberal caucus has a cabinet position to bigger things like policy moves,” she said. “If I am Mark Carney and his senior team, I am probably doing my cabinet planning knowing that this is my one opportunity to make big changes.”
Carney has also committed to gender parity in his cabinet, a standard established by Trudeau when he took office in 2015. His first cabinet, named shortly after he won the Liberal leadership in March, was smaller than Trudeau’s last team, which included 40 members.
As parliament is slated to return on May 26, 2025, Carney has announced that King Charles will deliver the speech from the throne the following day, May 27, 2025. This return to Parliament comes after a snap election that saw Carney's Liberals re-elected with a minority government, and it is expected to be a busy session as Carney aims to deliver on various campaign promises.
Among the anticipated changes is the potential appointment of Carlos Leitão, whose return to public life is seen as significant. Leitão, a fiscal conservative with a solid record, served as Quebec’s finance minister from 2014 to 2018, where he delivered balanced budgets and improved the province’s credit rating. His expertise could provide crucial support to Carney, who faces skepticism regarding his government’s fiscal policies. As Sean Speer noted in The Weekly Wrap, Leitão’s appointment to a major role like finance minister could indicate that Carney is serious about credible fiscal policy.
In an effort to keep a leaner cabinet, Carney is considering a tiered structure that includes a core group of senior ministers and a secondary group of ministers of state. This model, previously used by several Canadian governments and in the United Kingdom, could allow Carney to maintain a smaller core cabinet while still addressing various governmental needs.
Multiple Liberal sources suggest that the next finance minister could be a new MP, with Tim Hodgson, elected in Markham—Thornhill, and Leitão being viable candidates. Hodgson’s close relationship with Carney, stemming from their time together at Goldman Sachs, positions him as a strong contender for a significant role.
Another crucial question is the fate of Chrystia Freeland, who served as deputy prime minister and finance minister under Trudeau. Freeland’s high profile and her previous role make her a challenging figure to exclude from the cabinet, especially given Carney’s commitment to gender parity. However, her close ties to Trudeau may complicate her position within Carney’s cabinet.
As for geographical representation, Carney has the opportunity to ensure that all provinces are represented at the cabinet table. With at least one Liberal elected from each of Canada’s 13 provinces, Carney must balance regional representation with the need for a functional and effective cabinet.
In addition to the cabinet appointments, Carney has promised quick action on several key issues, including removing federal barriers to interprovincial trade by Canada Day and rolling out a “Canada Strong Pass” that will grant youth free access to national galleries and museums, as well as free seats on Via Rail when traveling with their parents. He has also pledged to make access to national parks and historic sites free this summer.
As the political landscape shifts, all eyes will be on Carney as he navigates the challenges of forming a cabinet that reflects his vision while addressing the needs of Canadians. With a mix of fresh talent and experienced veterans, Carney’s new cabinet may set the tone for his government’s direction in the months to come.
