India, March 15 -- Former central bank governor Mark Carney assumed charge as Canada's 24th Prime Minister on Friday, at a time, as he put it, "of great consequence" for the country as it faced a "crisis".

Carney, 59, was sworn in by governor-general Mary Simon in Ottawa, along with his inaugural Cabinet comprising of 23 ministers.

There were some surprises in that list. Former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who resigned in December and precipitated Justin Trudeau's departure, joined it as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade. That portfolio was being handled by Indo-Canadian Anita Anand, who is now in charge of Innovation, Science and Industry.

Dominic LeBlanc was retained but not as Finance Minister as Francois-Philippe...