New Cabinet announced: Key opportunities for AIA Canada’s advocacy   

Today, the Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada announced his cabinet, the body of ministerial advisors that sets the federal government’s policies and priorities for the country. This newly appointed Cabinet presents both continuity and fresh opportunities for the Automotive Industries Association of Canada’s (AIA Canada) advocacy work, with several Ministers and Secretaries of State already familiar to the Association. 

Among these individuals, some have established strong working relationships with AIA Canada, while others, newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs), provide valuable avenues for advancing the Association’s priorities. These shifts will allow us to identify potential future champions for our cause and ensure that AIA Canada’s voice remains at the forefront of the conversation in the coming years. 

This is the Prime Minister’s second cabinet but the first formed since election day. The 28-person cabinet has been deliberately structured to remain small and focused, with a tiered design that includes a secondary layer of 10 Secretaries of State—ministers without standalone ministries and supported by smaller staff teams. Thirteen members of cabinet are newly elected MPs, and it remains gender balanced.  

Notable Cabinet Ministers and Secretaries of State with whom AIA Canada will continue to work closely include: 

• Hon. Dominic Leblanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy 

• Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions 

• Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue 

• Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario 

• Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for Federal Economic Development Agency for Atlantic Canada 

• Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade 

• Hon. Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and gender equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) 

• Hon. Steven McKinnon, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons 

• Hon. Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board 

• Hon. Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change 

• Hon.  Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister Responsible for Federal Economic Development Agency of Southwestern Ontario 

• Hon. Tim Hodgson becomes Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

• Hon. Ruby Sahota, Minister of State (Combatting Crime) 

• Hon. John Zerucelli, Minister of State (Labour) 

In the coming months, AIA Canada will focus on advancing our key priorities by engaging with target Ministers and Members of Parliament, building on the momentum established during the election campaign. 

Parliament is set to resume in the coming weeks with the Speech from the Throne, to be delivered by His Majesty King Charles III, outlining the government’s policy priorities for the new session.