Sarah Mills: National unity might be Mark Carney's toughest challenge
Sarah Mills takes a look at the priorities Prime Minister Mark Carney laid out for his ministers in their mandate letter...
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney was officially sworn in as a member of Parliament Thursday, and will take his seat in the House of Commons for the first time on May 26.
Carney swore allegiance to King Charles in a ceremony on Parliament Hill Thursday morning, three weeks after voters elected him in the Ottawa riding of Nepean.
House of Commons clerk Eric Janse presided over the short ceremony, during which Carney said he will do his best to represent his constituents.
The prime minister was given a special lapel pin that is worn by MPs for security access in Ottawa.
“In fact, even as prime minister, if you were to try to enter the chamber on Monday without having been sworn in, the sergeant-at-arms would deny you access,” Janse joked.
The prime minister thanked members of his riding campaign team who attended his swearing-in. About three dozen guests were present, including Marco Mendicino, Carney’s chief of staff.
Carney, who has named his cabinet but has yet to set up roles for departments and staff, posted on social media Thursday that Mendicino has agreed to stay in the role over the summer to “support the launch of the government’s mandate” and “lead the transition of the PMO” on his behalf.
Following the ceremony Carney took a group photo and received several gifts from his guests. Those included a commemorative coin from the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament that Canada won earlier this year, and a loonie that was placed at centre ice in one of the rinks.
He was also given a bouquet of tulips, the official flower of Ottawa.
Carney said he’ll spend Friday working in the riding and plans to have breakfast with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
The Liberal caucus is gathering Sunday on Parliament Hill for the first time since the April election to prepare for the start of Parliament — and to decide whether to adopt a process to eject a party leader unwilling to leave.
Parliament returns on Monday, and will start with the election of a speaker.
On Tuesday, King Charles will read the speech from the throne in the Senate chamber on Tuesday.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for a short visit to Canada on Monday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.
David Baxter, The Canadian Press
