Mark Carney’s First Speech and Press Conference as the Canadian Prime Minister
Table of Contents
Transcript of Prime Minister Mark Carney's First Speech and Press Conference.
Video: https://www.translate.mom/watch/MXAyeNi4xic9
Prime Minister:
OK. Que la fête commence.
Alors, bonjour tout le monde.
Hello everyone.
It is my honour to respond to the Governor-General's request that I form a government.
And it's a solemn duty to serve as Prime Minister at this time of great consequence for our country.
The ceremony we just witnessed reflects the wonder of a country built on the bedrock of three peoples – Indigenous, French, and British.
The opening and closing prayers evoke the original stewards of this land. They remind us of the deep roots from which we grow and underscore the values to which we aspire.
The office of the Governor-General links us through the Crown and across time to Canada's proud British heritage.
Et la cérémonie s'est déroulée dans nos deux langues officielles. Notre identité bilingue nous rend uniques et la langue française enrichit la culture.
Sur ces fondations, les Canadiens ont construit une nation dynamique qui célèbre sa diversité, qui s'occupe des vulnérables dans la société et qui lutte toujours pour un avenir meilleur.
Ce nouveau cabinet est pleinement conscient de nos responsabilités pour renforcer les fondations de notre nation durant cette crise et pour bâtir un Canada encore meilleur.
J'ai le plaisir de vous présenter l'équipe extraordinaire et qualifiée qui servira au sein de mon gouvernement et qui défendra les valeurs qui nous tiennent à cœur.
Notre gouvernement changera notre façon de travailler, se concentrera sur l'essentiel et adoptera une approche axée sur l'action pour relever les défis auxquels nous faisons face.
The new Government of Canada will change how we work so we can deliver better and faster results for all Canadians. We have new ministers with new ideas, ready to respond to new threats and seize new opportunities.
Our government will focus on the most important priorities: high-paying jobs, improving affordability, and securing Canada.
Our leaner cabinet will focus on two key priorities:
First, protecting Canadian workers and their families from unjust foreign trade actions.
Second, growing this great country by putting more money in Canadians' pockets, ensuring government spends less so Canada can invest more, building millions of homes, making Canada a global leader in both conventional and clean energy, creating new trade corridors with reliable partners, and building a stronger Canadian economy.
We will relentlessly pursue this positive agenda because Canadians know that negativity is not a strength.
Negativity won’t pay the rent or the mortgage.
Negativity won’t lower food prices.
Negativity won’t win a trade war.
We know that by building together, we can achieve much more than anyone can take away.
We are at home here.
Our country is strong. Our government is united and strong.
We will begin immediately with our first Cabinet meeting.
I will now take your questions.
Press Conference
Moderator: Thank you, Prime Minister. We will now move to a 15-minute question period. One question, one follow-up per journalist.
Journalist: Prime Minister, you will be traveling to Europe soon. Will you also visit the United States to meet President Trump before calling an election?
Prime Minister: I have received an invitation from the President of France to discuss several key issues, including trade, European security, Ukraine, and Canada’s security. I have also received an invitation from the UK Prime Minister.
Diversifying our trade partners and strengthening our security alliances are crucial. I hope to speak with the President of the United States at an appropriate time, but I have no current plans to visit Washington.
Journalist: Marco Rubio said this morning in Charlevoix that Canada would be better off as the 51st U.S. state. What is your response?
Prime Minister: That's ridiculous. It’s simple. It’s ridiculous. Next question.
Journalist: Will you call an election soon? If so, when?
Prime Minister: Canadians should go to the polls before November. Today's announcement is about the extraordinary team behind me—a united cabinet, focused on action, delivering results for Canadians. We will take decisions aligned with our priorities. More news will follow in the coming days.
Journalist: Regarding President Trump, will you refuse to speak with him until he stops the 51st-state rhetoric?
Prime Minister: I look forward to speaking with President Trump. We respect the United States and its leadership. We understand his agenda, including combating the fentanyl crisis—a shared challenge.
We also understand his focus on American workers. We want his administration to recognize our commitment to Canadian workers. We seek collaboration that benefits both economies.
Journalist: You have talked about eliminating the consumer carbon tax increase set for April 1st. How will you do it in the next two weeks?
Prime Minister: We will address that immediately following our Cabinet meeting today.
Journalist: Your new Cabinet includes many ministers from the previous government. How does this represent change?
Prime Minister: This is a smaller, more focused cabinet, concentrated on action. Every member is senior and experienced. Retaining key ministers ensures continuity in addressing critical trade and economic challenges.
Journalist: Why do you believe you can handle President Trump better than your predecessor?
Prime Minister: I will not speak for President Trump. However, we share some experiences. I have worked in the private sector, real estate, and major transactions. I understand how to negotiate deals that work for both parties. My focus is on securing the best outcomes for Canada.
Thank you, everyone.