In the news today: PM Mark Carney to shuffle cabinet today

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

PM Mark Carney to shuffle cabinet today

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to name his new cabinet at Rideau Hall this morning — and it’s expected to be a slimmed-down front bench meant to signal a more businesses-minded approach to government.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Rideau Hall at 10:30 a.m. ET.

The Prime Minister’s Office is forecasting the new team will include up to 30 ministers and up to 10 “secretaries of state,” with about half of those named to be new faces, including some who were newly elected on April 28.

A government official, who was not authorized to speak about the appointments before they’re made public, says the cabinet will include a representative from every province and a representative from the North.

This is Carney’s second cabinet, though it’s his first not under a caretaker government.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Canadians don’t want a two-party system: Poll

While the recent federal election turned into a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives that left other parties trailing far behind, a new poll suggests most Canadians don’t want the country end up with a two-party system.

The poll of over 1,600 Canadians, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies between May 1 and 3, suggests only 21 per cent of Canadians think the country would be better off with a system where two parties dominate the political landscape.

Forty-nine per cent say a two-party system would not be good for Canada, while 30 per cent say they don’t know.

The poll, which was conducted online and can’t be assigned a margin of error, suggests that people in Ontario and Alberta are the most open to a two-party system, with 23 per cent of people in those provinces saying it would be a good thing.

Twenty-two per cent of people in British Columbia and 20 per cent of respondents in Quebec say they think Canada would be better off under such a system.

Day 2 of bail hearing for teen facing 33 charges

A bail hearing is entering its second day today for a Halifax teenager facing 33 charges including uttering threats.

The matter is scheduled in youth court before Judge Alan Tufts, who did not make a bail decision on Monday after a full day in court.

The 16-year-old boy’s name and all evidence shared at the bail hearing are under a publication ban.

The teenager’s charges include 12 counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and four counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

He is also facing two counts of wilfully promoting hatred against identifiable groups.

Hockey player’s lawyer cross-examines complainant

A defence lawyer for one of five hockey players accused of sexual assault is expected to cross-examine the complainant at the players’ trial today.

The woman first took the stand on May 2 and has now faced questions from legal teams representing four of the accused, with the fifth set to begin its cross-examination today.

Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in connection with an encounter that took place in a London, Ont., hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

The events at the heart of the case took place as several members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team were in London for a gala marking their championship win.

Bay returns to court to extend creditor protection

Hudson’s Bay is due to return to an Ontario court today for the first time in roughly two weeks to seek a reprieve from the hundreds of businesses it owes money.

The department store is expected to use the Tuesday morning appearance to ask Judge Peter Osborne to stretch the period of time it is protected from its creditors to July 31 rather than ending May 15.

The extension request comes as the business, which holds the title of Canada’s oldest company, appears to be hurtling toward a new future.

After filing for creditor protection in March because it was having trouble paying 26 pages’ worth of landlords, vendors and suppliers almost $1 billion they were collectively owed, Hudson’s Bay put itself, its assets and its leases up for sale.

Seventeen bidders want the entire business or treasures like its intellectual property. Twelve are vying for 39 leases.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025.

The Canadian Press