OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has formed a number of new cabinet committees that reflect the government's focus on shoring up Canada's sovereignty and improving the quality of life of Canadians.
They include a priorities, planning and strategy committee, which is chaired by Carney, and a new "Build Canada" committee, focused on strengthening Canada's economy.
Carney has also created a committee on government transformation and efficiency, aiming to reduce government spending.
Other new groups include a committee on operations and parliamentary affairs, a committee for "quality of life and wellbeing" and a committee on a "secure and sovereign Canada," which aims to reinforce Canadian sovereignty, manage Canada-U.S. relations and "advance Canada’s interests around the world."
The Prime Minister of Canada website says cabinet committees carry out most of the day-to-day work of the cabinet.
A newly appointed junior member of cabinet said Wednesday the federal government will operate more like a "corporation" under Carney than it did under Justin Trudeau.
Heading into his first cabinet meeting as secretary of state for the Canada Revenue Agency, Liberal MP Wayne Long said he's already seeing a big difference in how things are being run under Carney.
Long — who was one of several Liberals who drove a caucus revolt against Trudeau last year over his leadership — said he believes the shift in approach is "long overdue."
Many of the ministers attending the first meeting of the new cabinet Wednesday, following Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall, said they are still being briefed on their new files.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the Carney government will be focused on the economy and dealing with a combative U.S. administration on trade.
“My experience in the first few weeks and over the course of the election campaign is there is a relentless focus on the economy, strengthening Canada's ability to be on the international stage and making sure that we actually stand up to the United States government,” Fraser said.
“It's this singular focus on the issues that are clearly top of mind for people who live in communities like mine that shows a different corporate culture, so to speak.”
Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said he is looking forward to "digging" into his new role, adding he plans to head out to the West soon for meetings in the Prairie provinces.
Carney moved some veteran players from the Trudeau years into new positions while also promoting 24 new faces — a move meant to signal a change in priorities.
Carney named 28 full ministers to his cabinet and also appointed a second tier of 10 secretaries of state to act as junior ministers.
The prime minister dropped several cabinet veterans from the Trudeau years, including former natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson and former defence minister Bill Blair.
But he raised the profile of Anita Anand by bringing her into foreign affairs and left other key veterans in their positions, such as François-Philippe Champagne at the finance ministry.
Carney said he sought to balance new perspectives with experience in picking his team and noted half of the ministers are new to the front bench.
Carney vowed Parliament will move at a rapid pace once it starts up again on May 26 and said his government will deliver on its promises with "urgency and determination."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
The Canadian Press
