The new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, has appointed a cabinet of 24 ministers, a significant reduction from the previous cabinet under Justin Trudeau. Despite having two Liberal members of Parliament in Alberta, Carney did not include anyone from the province in his cabinet. This decision has led to speculation that Alberta may have been unintentionally snubbed, with many feeling that the focus of the new government is on regions like the Greater Toronto Area and Quebec. The only cabinet minister from western Canada is Jonathan Wilkinson, who represents North Vancouver. Carney defended his decision by stating that he is the Prime Minister of all of Canada and that the reduced cabinet size played a factor in the lack of Alberta representation.
The absence of Alberta ministers in Carney’s cabinet has raised questions about the political landscape in the province. Both Liberal MPs from Alberta, Randy Boissonnault and George Chahal, have faced scandals in the past that may have influenced Carney’s decision. Boissonnault was removed from cabinet for falsely claiming Indigenous status, while Chahal was caught on video pulling flyers of Conservatives during an election campaign. Experts believe that these scandals may have played a role in Carney’s choice of cabinet appointments. However, Carney emphasized that his cabinet selections were made to address the challenges facing Canadians, particularly amid a trade war with the United States.
While Carney defended his cabinet appointments, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed concerns about the composition of the cabinet and its potential impact on Alberta’s economy. Smith criticized the inclusion of ministers responsible for previous Liberal government policies that she believes have been damaging to the province. She called for a general election, hoping for a reset in the relationship between the federal government and Alberta. Smith highlighted nine Liberal government policies that she wants the new prime minister to condemn. Carney suggested that an election call may be coming before November, hinting at a possible election in the near future as the country navigates through a trade crisis.
Despite Carney’s explanations for his cabinet appointments, there is skepticism and unrest in Alberta about the government’s priorities and its approach to the province’s concerns. Many are questioning the lack of representation from Alberta in the cabinet and are calling for a reassessment of the federal government’s policies that impact the province. The tension between Alberta and the federal government is likely to continue until a resolution is reached, either through policy changes or a potential election. As the country addresses various challenges, including the trade war and economic stability, the role of Alberta and its representation in the federal government will remain a central point of discussion and debate. The upcoming election will be crucial in determining the future direction of Canada and its relationship with the provinces.
