Prime minister-designate Mark Carney met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday as the new Liberal leader takes the reins of power after a landslide victory in Sunday’s party election.
Carney told reporters at Parliament Hill that the meeting was long and they discussed the most pressing issues of the day: Canada-U.S. relations and other matters of national security.
He said the government handover will be “seamless” and “quick” and he said his official swearing-in will happen in short order.
In addition to his sit-down with Trudeau, Carney met with Liberal MPs at a caucus meeting.
He said his message to his new team is to stay focused on solutions to Trump’s trade war.
“We know this is a crucial time for our country. We’re united to serve Canadians and we will build this country up,” Carney said.
Carney has tapped a familiar face to serve as his chief of staff: current MP and former cabinet minister Marco Mendicino.
A spokesperson for Carney announced Monday evening that the prime minister-designate divested all of his assets, other than his real estate, into a blind trust.
The signed blind trust document was submitted to the ethics commissioner when the results of the leadership vote were announced on Sunday.
“We have been actively working with the ethics commissioner and we have delivered a full and robust conflict-of-interest management plan,” said the spokesperson in a statement.
“The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country … if they succeed, they will destroy our way of life,” Mr Carney said in his acceptance speech late on March 9.
