Mark Carney to Announce Cabinet as He Becomes Canada's 24th Prime Minister

This morning, Mark Carney will be officially sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister at Rideau Hall, transitioning from Justin Trudeau's leadership. Having won the Liberal leadership race last weekend with an impressive 86 percent of votes, Carney will also unveil his new cabinet during the ceremony.

Expectations suggest that Carney's cabinet will be more streamlined than Trudeau's previous team, which comprised 37 members. Notably, some current ministers, including Jean-Yves Duclos, who held the role of public services and procurement minister as well as Trudeau's Quebec lieutenant, are anticipated to be replaced or reassigned.

Justin Trudeau Leaves Office with Pride

On the eve of Carney's swearing-in, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a heartfelt farewell message with Canadians, marking his last full day in office. In a video circulated across multiple social media platforms, including X and Facebook, he expressed pride in serving a nation filled with individuals who "stand up for what’s right" and support one another during challenging times.

Trudeau highlighted that although he is leaving his position, his commitment to being “boldly and unapologetically Canadian” will persist. He emphasized his hope that Canadians would remain united, regardless of the adversities they may face in the future.

Mélanie Joly Concludes G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

In another significant development, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is set to brief the media after successfully hosting the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting in the Charlevoix region, situated northeast of Quebec City. Over the course of this meeting, Joly aimed to discuss important issues such as U.S. tariffs and strategies for collaboration among allied nations.

While Joly intended to address U.S. tariffs directly with her American and European counterparts, her public communications have largely focused on fostering collaborative efforts, leaving details of her discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio somewhat vague.

Concerns Over Trade Wars

During the G7 meetings, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas articulated concerns regarding ongoing trade disputes, asserting that tariffs imposed among Western countries primarily serve to benefit China. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Kallas pointed out that the current geopolitical climate, including the United States hinting at a reduced commitment to NATO allies, necessitates increased defense spending within Europe to counter threats from Russia.

Kallas, who previously served as the prime minister of Estonia, underscored the need for Western collaboration in the face of rising tensions, noting that "keeping a cool head" is critical in today's turbulent environment.

The Future of Grocery Shopping in Canada

The pandemic fundamentally shifted consumer behavior, leading many Canadians to adopt online grocery shopping as a safer alternative during widespread shutdowns. Prior to COVID-19, the concept of strangers selecting personal groceries like bananas or pork roasts was largely unappealing to most Canadians.

Now, however, the landscape has changed dramatically. Lauren Steinberg, executive vice-president and chief digital officer at Loblaw, noted that prior to the pandemic, the percentage of Canadians shopping online—especially for groceries—was relatively low. She observed that the urgency created by the pandemic prompted a significant transformation in shopping habits, solidifying the role of e-commerce in the grocery sector.

This evolution in consumer behavior raises questions about whether the trend of online grocery shopping will persist post-pandemic, potentially reshaping the future of grocery retail in Canada.