Justin Trudeau sworn in as prime minister

By

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has been sworn in as Canada’s 23rd prime minister by Gov. Gen. David Johnston.

Trudeau was sworn in shortly after the resignation earlier today of his Conservative predecessor, Stephen Harper.

The ceremony took place at Rideau Hall before a crowd of dignitaries and Liberal luminaries, including former prime ministers Jean Chretien and John Turner, as well as friends and family members.

In a unique ceremony, with the public invited and two big screens set up so everyone in attendance could take part in a traditionally private event.

Trudeau and his new cabinet arrived on a bus instead of the typical line of limos. They walked up the long driveway together, greeting the crowds.

Members of the new cabinet were sworn in after Trudeau. Three BC MPs were among those given cabinet posts. Click here to find the full list.

“We have an awful lot of work to do in the coming weeks, months, and years,” said Trudeau in his first public comments as prime minister.

“We’re a government that wants to earn Canadians’ trust by demonstrating that we trust Canadians. Openness and transparency isn’t just about trust, though. It’s also very much about better policy making.”

One of Trudeau’s priorities was to have a gender-balanced cabinet.

When asked why that was so important to him, he responded, “Because it’s 2015.”

“Canadians elected extraordinary members of parliament from across the country. I am glad to have been able to highlight a few of them in this cabinet.”

One top native leader is anxious to see what one of the new appointees will accomplish.

Grand Chief Stewart Philip is hopeful former Crown prosecutor Jody Wilson-Raybould will be able to hold up some promises made by previous governments, along with some decisions made in the supreme court, like the Chilcotin ruling needs to be addressed.

“One of the issues is that there was a lot of legislation that was passed by the Harper government that was harmful and regressive in terms of our indigenous legal rights and Prime Minister Trudeau has committed to revisit that legislation.”

He is also optimistic something will be done to address the missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today