'Clients expect respect': Carney delivers message to Trump in first speech as PM
(UPDATE: March 14 at 11:27 am): In his first speech as prime minister, Mark Carney had a message for Donald Trump: clients expect respect.
But, speaking to reporters outside Rideau Hall after his swearing-in ceremony this morning, he said he doesn’t have any plans to head to the US to meet with the president any time soon.
Instead, he’s heading to Europe to meet with the French president and British prime minister, with the intention of diversifying Canada’s trade away from the US.
In his remarks in Ottawa – standing in front of his new cabinet – he spoke of Canada’s diversity as well as its British, French and First Nations heritage.
It’s a country that cares for the vulnerable, he said, and strives for a better tomorrow.
He also pledged to focus on bringing more high-paying jobs to the country, improving affordability and making the nation more secure.
LIVE: Addressing Canadians outside Rideau Hall : | EN DIRECT : Discours aux Canadiens à Rideau Hall https://t.co/7k6foyTtSB
That will mean seeking out new trade relationships, he said, as well as making Canada a “superpower” in both conventional and renewable energy.
He also focused on the threat of tariffs from the US, explaining that he’ll speak with Trump at the “appropriate moment.”
On the Republican president’s repeatedly stated desire to annex Canada, however, Carney was more terse: “It’s crazy. That’s it.”
“The president is a successful businessman and dealmaker [and] we’re his largest client in so many industries,” he said, adding: “And clients expect respect.”
When asked when he’s planning to call an election, Carney remained mum, joking only that it’ll be “before November.”
An election must be held by Oct. 20 of this year.
He added, however, that there’ll be more news regarding an election in the coming days.
(UPDATE: March 14 at 8:31 am): Mark Carney is now Canada's prime minister.
His cabinet is presently being sworn in.
The ministers are:
François-Philippe Champagne, minister of finance
Dominic LeBlanc, minister of international trade and intergovernmental affairs and president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada
Mélanie Joly, minister of foreign affairs and international development
Anita Anand, minister of innovation, science and industry
Bill Blair, minister of national defence
Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous services
Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of energy and natural resources
Ginette Petitpas Taylor, president of the Treasury Board
Steven Guilbeault, minister of Canadian culture and identity, Parks Canada and Quebec lieutenant
Chrystia Freeland, minister of transport and internal trade
Kamal Khera, minister of health
Gary Anandasangaree, minister of justice and attorney general of Canada and minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and northern affairs
Rechie Valdez, chief government whip
Steven MacKinnon, minister of jobs and families
David McGuinty, minister of public safety and emergency preparedness
Terry Duguid, minister of environment and climate change
Nate Erskine-Smith, minister of housing, infrastructure and communities
Rachel Bendayan, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship
Élisabeth Brière, minister of veterans affairs and minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency
Joanne Thompson, minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Arielle Kayabaga, leader of the government in the House of Commons and minister of democratic institutions
Kody Blois, minister of agriculture and agri-food and rural economic development
Ali Ehsassi, minister of government transformation, public services and procurement
Carney said: “This team is built for immediate action and focused on protecting Canadian workers, supporting their families, and growing this great country.
"We are changing how things work, so our government can deliver to Canadians faster – and we have an experienced team that is made to meet the moment we are in. Our government is united and strong, and we are getting right to work.”
(Original story: March 14 at 6: 30 am): Canada gets a new prime minister today.
Mark Carney will be sworn in at Rideau Hall in Ottawa this morning, replacing Justin Trudeau.
Carney won the Liberal Party leadership race last weekend, taking 86 per cent of the vote.
Right now, we’re building a government that will deliver what our country needs most.
We’re going to protect Canadians during this crisis and build a stronger economy for the future. pic.twitter.com/lYqbugZk4q
