Carney Unveils Sweeping Cabinet Shuffle to Set New Course for Canada’s Foreign Policy, Economy

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle, appointing a new foreign minister and reorganizing key portfolios as he moves to assert his leadership following a decisive Liberal election victory last month, as per The AP.

Anita Anand, a former defense minister, will take over as foreign minister, replacing Mélanie Joly, who will now serve as minister of industry. The changes mark the first major reorganization under Carney’s leadership since he succeeded Justin Trudeau earlier this year.

The shakeup comes as Canada grapples with rising trade tensions with the United States and seeks to redefine its global economic and diplomatic posture. François-Philippe Champagne will remain as finance minister, while Dominic LeBlanc continues as minister for U.S. trade, a critical role amid a growing trade dispute with Washington.

Carney, an economist and former central bank governor in both Canada and the United Kingdom, campaigned on promises to stand firm against what he called U.S. President Donald Trump’s “aggression” toward Canada. On Tuesday, he reaffirmed his commitment to reshaping Canada’s foreign and economic strategy.

“Canadians elected this new government with a strong mandate to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States and to build a stronger economy for all Canadians,” Carney said during a press conference in Ottawa.

He also confirmed that King Charles III will deliver a speech from the throne outlining the government’s legislative agenda when Parliament resumes on May 27. Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth, recognizes the monarch as its head of state.

Strategic Appointments Reflect Shift in Priorities

Among the most notable changes in Tuesday’s announcement was the appointment of Tim Hodgson, former CEO of Goldman Sachs Canada, as minister of natural resources. The move aligns with Carney’s long-stated goal of turning Canada into an energy “superpower” through large-scale infrastructure and development projects.

David McGuinty, previously minister of public safety, will now serve as defense minister, replacing Bill Blair, who was among more than 10 ministers dropped from the Cabinet.

Carney’s reshuffle signals a deliberate pivot away from the Trudeau-era team and toward a more technocratic, economically focused administration. His background in global finance—he spent 14 years at Goldman Sachs—has shaped his vision of Canada’s future, with an emphasis on economic resilience, energy independence, and diplomatic assertiveness.

A Tougher Stance Toward Washington

The Cabinet overhaul comes amid rising friction with the United States under President Trump, particularly over tariffs and cross-border trade. Carney is set to meet with Trump at the White House in the coming days, in what is expected to be a tense exchange following their sharply divergent views on North American integration.

Carney has stated that the era of deepening U.S.-Canada economic integration is over, emphasizing instead Canada’s historic ties to the United Kingdom and France as a basis for future partnerships.