Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a new era in Canada federal politics Wednesday as his majority Liberal government took office and a cabinet of political veterans and rookie MPs was sworn in.
One of them was Winnipeg businessman and Liberal South Centre MP, James Car (64), who became the country’s new Minister of Natural Resources.
He’ll have to deal with touchy issues left by the previous administration as a legacy, including the government’s stance on a 15% Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC), which has helped Canadian miners raise billions for exploration.
Carr will also face challenges in the country’s vast Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, until recently target of offshore drilling projects now mothballed due to low oil prices.
And then, there is TransCanada Corp’s (TSX, NYSE:TRP) Keystone XL pipeline, which pending review by the US Administration came to define Stephen Harper’s relationship with President Obama. This week, however, TransCanada asked the U.S. government to suspend its permit application, which would leave the project in limbo likely beyond the 2016 U.S. elections.
Carr first ran for the Manitoba legislature in the provincial election of 1986, losing to Conservative leader Gary Filmon in the upscale west Winnipeg riding of Tuxedo. He ran again in the provincial election of 1988 during a period of increased support for the provincial Liberals, and scored a surprisingly strong victory in the riding of Fort Rouge, defeating NDP cabinet minister Roland Penner by over 2,000 votes.
Before becoming a public figure, Carr worked as a journalist, musician and administrator, serving as both an oboist and trustee with the Winnipeg on different occasions. Before entering public life, he was also executive director of the Manitoba Arts Council.
Trudeau’s Cabinet will hold its first meeting Wednesday afternoon.
6 Comments
Mike Failla
Sounds like he is exceptionally qualified. In that picture are they going to smooch?
sarcasm key is on.
Kenneth Viney
Perfect start for this upstart socialist Govt. This old hippy should be able to shut down the whole Canadian economy except for expensive solar and wind power projects. When the sun don’t shine and the wind don’t blow you Canuckelheads will just have leave work early, go on welfare and sleep a bit more.
whats up
He’s Clueless plain and simple.. Canada is gonna sink hard
Zulugroove
Great we have a guy who can play the oboe!….
I’m sure that will help sooth the anguish & and bewilderment he feels during coffee breaks at difficult negotiations on complex issues with our trading partners.
” Hey who’s the guy playing the oboe?? …oh that’s the unqualified guy the stoner from Canada has appointed !” .. Great
kt
wow … now that we have an open and transparent government where we are actually allowed to express our intelligent singular and collective voices … how about considering being supportive and offering constructive input.
lynne adams
I see that Mr Carr & Trudeau are dancing in the pic above…how sweet! However, what the Hell are you thinking re spending $280000 on finding out why we don’t have a plan to make use of our energy resources.? The answer is that Trudope is blocking our oil & gas industry. An “international company” will be paid all MY $$$$…NO!!! Just call Alberta & you’ll have you free answer. Stop the BS. By the way, “climate change” is just playing into the hands of the Banksters & the rest of the elites. It’s a huge lie.