Liberal Leader Mark Carney is gunning to take the prime ministerial oath by Friday, but transition hiccups—like security clearances for his inner circle—could stall the plan.
After trouncing Justin Trudeau in Sunday’s leadership race, Carney’s not yet Canada’s 24th PM. He’s gearing up fast, meeting the Liberal caucus Monday and Tuesday with U.S. Ambassador Kirsten Hillman and Defence Chief Jennie Carignan. But he’s dodging official tariff sparring with Donald Trump until Rideau Hall makes it official—his team’s crossing fingers for a pre-weekend slot.
A Trudeau insider, speaking off the record Tuesday, told The Canadian Press the handover’s in early days. Marco Mendicino, tapped as transition chief, huddled with Trudeau’s staff for an hour Tuesday alongside Cyndi Jenkins, a former Health Ministry hand. It was the first bridge since Sunday. The PMO’s 100-strong crew has been boxing up, archiving, and clearing out, prepping for Carney as if he’s a new regime. Many might linger through an election, but fresh faces need clearances that could lag weeks.
With Parliament back March 24 and an election likely sooner, Carney needs that oath to act. He didn’t mince words online Tuesday, slamming Trump’s tariff hike—briefly 50%, now 25%—as a “blow to Canadian workers and families.” He pledged a “max-impact” U.S. response with minimal home fallout, keeping tariffs “until fairness rules.”
Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said he’s ready to chat, though no line’s connected. Trump’s fentanyl-migrant tariff excuse falters against evidence, prompting Carney’s sit-down with “fentanyl czar” Kevin Brosseau. After Carignan, he vowed NATO’s 2% by 2030, Norad updates, and Arctic muscle. Time’s ticking.