Canada Will 'Never' Join the US, Declares Carney in First Address as Prime Minister

Mark Carney was officially sworn in as the nation’s 24th prime minister.

Canada Will 'Never' Join the US, Declares Carney in First Address as Prime Minister

Key Takeaways:

• Mark Carney, in his inaugural speech as Canada’s prime minister, firmly stated that the nation will "never" become part of the United States.
• Facing heightened trade tensions with Donald Trump, Carney emphasized that he "expects respect" from Washington while dismissing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks on Canada as a potential 51st state as "crazy".
• His first international trip in office will take him to France and the UK. Carney also stated he currently has "no plans" to meet Trump but "looks forward" to a discussion with him in the future.
• When asked about the timing of Canada’s next general election, he avoided giving a definitive date, joking that Canadians would vote before November. By law, the election must occur by October.
• Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the Liberal government, arguing they are unfit to continue in office, and claimed Carney’s cabinet consists of individuals closely associated with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

A Landmark Day in Canadian Politics

Friday marked a significant moment in Canada’s political landscape as Mark Carney was officially sworn in as the nation’s 24th prime minister.

Unlike his predecessors, Carney has never previously held elected office, making the upcoming general election—mandated to take place by October—his first electoral challenge. Furthermore, he is the first prime minister to be born in the Northwest Territories.

Carney introduced a streamlined cabinet, retaining several key ministers from Trudeau’s administration while reassigning or removing others.

In his first speech as the country’s leader, Carney positioned Canada as an independent and forward-looking nation, clearly pushing back against repeated assertions from US President Donald Trump about Canada becoming "the 51st state."

Throughout his address, he also took pointed jabs at Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, signaling an impending political battle between the two. He hinted that the next general election could be called in the coming days.

Poilievre swiftly responded, questioning Carney’s commitment to Canada by referencing a controversy involving a company where Carney was previously employed, which had relocated its headquarters from Toronto to New York.

The Conservative leader further linked Carney to the unpopular Trudeau government, arguing that his policies and cabinet choices did not signal meaningful change.

Friday’s events provided Canadians with an early glimpse of the political landscape as the country moves toward the next election.

A Recap of the Day’s Key Developments:

• Mark Carney, a political newcomer who decisively secured the Liberal Party leadership earlier this week, officially took office as prime minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau.
• His newly appointed cabinet was sworn in, featuring familiar names such as Dominic LeBlanc as international trade minister and Francois-Philippe Champagne as finance minister. Notably absent was Mélanie Joly, the foreign minister, who was attending the G7 summit in Quebec.
• The backdrop of the ceremony was an intensifying trade dispute with the United States, where President Donald Trump has imposed heavy tariffs and suggested annexing Canada. Carney unequivocally stated in his speech that Canada would never "in any shape or form" become part of the US.
• While newly appointed prime ministers typically visit the White House for their first official foreign engagement, Carney will instead travel to London and Paris beginning Monday for diplomatic meetings.
• Speculation about an impending election continues, though Carney refrained from making any announcement. He now faces the challenge of rallying national support ahead of a showdown with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, with the election required to take place by October.
• Addressing reporters, Carney confirmed he had no immediate plans to meet with Trump but assured he would do so "at the appropriate moment."
• In response to Carney’s speech, Poilievre accused the Liberal government of weakening Canada’s position against the US throughout its tenure. He also alleged that Carney intended to introduce a "shadow carbon tax" that would burden everyday Canadians.

With political tensions rising and an election looming, Carney’s first days in office have already set the stage for a heated contest between the Liberals and the Conservatives.