New Liberal Leader Mark Carney will have a leaner cabinet focused on economic stability and US trade challenges, dropping high-profile ministers while elevating others.
Sources told CBC that Carney will slash the cabinet from 37 to 15–20 ministers, aimed at Canada’s response to a trade war launched by President Donald Trump.
Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and ex-leadership contender Karina Gould will not return, though Gould plans to run in the next federal election.
Chrystia Freeland, a former leadership rival to Carney, has been offered the transport minister role.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly keeps her role while adding international development.
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne will stay in their portfolios.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, a vocal carbon tax advocate, is shifting to an expanded role as Quebec lieutenant, replacing Duclos.
Guilbeault will oversee biodiversity and Canadian heritage, moving from a portfolio he held since 2021.
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree is set to become justice minister and attorney general while keeping northern affairs duties.
Several Trudeau-era ministers, including Justice Minister Arif Virani and Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, have announced they will not seek re-election.
Health Minister Mark Holland joined that list on Thursday.
The shakeup highlights Carney’s push for efficiency amid global uncertainty.
Guilbeault’s reassignment signals a focus on Quebec priorities, while streamlined teams aim to tackle trade disputes.
Freeland’s expected move to transport underscores infrastructure’s role in Carney’s economic strategy.
The full list of Mark Carney’s pre-election cabinet with 23 ministers:
International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister and President of the King’s Privy Council Dominic LeBlanc
Foreign Affairs and International Development Minister Mélanie Joly
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne
Innovation, Science, and Industry Minister Anita Anand
Defence Minister Bill Blair
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson
Treasury Board President Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada Minister, and Quebec Lieutenant Steven Guilbeault
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland
Health Minister Kamal Khera
Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Minister Gary Anandasangaree
Chief Government Whip Rechie Valdez
Jobs and Families Minister Steven MacKinnon
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness David McGuinty
Environment and Climate Change Minister Terry Duguid
Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Minister Nate Erskine-Smith
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Rachel Bendayan
Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency Elisabeth Briere
Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Minister Joanne Thompson
Government House Leader and Democratic Institutions Minister Arielle Kayabaga
Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Rural Economic Development Minister Kody Blois
Government Transformation, Public Services, and Procurement Minister Ali Ehsassi