Mark Carney will officially become Canada’s 24th prime minister during a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday, following the formal resignation of Justin Trudeau.
The newly elected Liberal leader is scheduled to meet with Governor General Mary Simon at 11 a.m. ET in the Rideau Hall ballroom to take the oath of office.
Carney has pledged a “seamless” and “quick” transition, having already held meetings with key officials, including Canada’s chief of the defence staff, senior Prime Minister’s Office staff, and Canada’s ambassador to the United States.
Speaking to reporters at a steel factory in Hamilton, Ontario, on Wednesday, Carney said he is prepared to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, but only under conditions that respect Canadian sovereignty and aim for a mutually beneficial trade strategy.
“I am ready to sit down with President Trump at the appropriate time — under a position where there is respect for Canadian sovereignty — and work toward a more comprehensive trade approach,” Carney said.
Tensions between Canada and the U.S. are running high after Trump declared a trade war on Canada, threatened annexation, and raised tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 25%. Trump has repeatedly called for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, stoking outrage among Canadians.
In response to the tariffs, Canada plans to impose retaliatory tariffs totaling $29.8 billion, effective Thursday. These countermeasures include duties on steel and aluminum products and a wide range of U.S. goods, such as computers, sports equipment, and water heaters, valued at $14.2 billion.
Although Carney has never been elected and has yet to declare which riding he will seek for a seat in Parliament, he is widely expected to call a federal election before Parliament reconvenes on March 24. However, this cannot happen until after he is sworn in.
The Liberal Party has seen a recent surge in public support, following Carney’s election as leader. After trailing the Conservatives for nearly two years, a new Leger poll indicates that both the Liberals and Conservatives are now tied at 37% in voter support.
The online survey, conducted between March 7 and March 10 among 1,548 Canadians, reflects a six-point drop for the Conservatives and a seven-point gain for the Liberals since February 24. Meanwhile, support for the NDP has fallen to 11%. Although margin of error cannot be assigned to online polls, the results suggest a significant shift in voter sentiment.
As Canada prepares for a potential early election, all eyes are now on Carney as he assumes leadership at a pivotal moment for the country.
