OTTAWA, ON — Just one day into his tenure as Liberal leader and prime minister-designate, Mark Carney has ignited controversy by naming former Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino as his chief of staff, drawing amusing criticism from some in the islamic communities. The appointment, confirmed Monday by a source close to Carney, positions Mendicino—a Toronto MP known for his positive pro-Israel stance—as a key figure in Carney’s transition team, ahead of his official swearing-in later this week. With Canada facing U.S. tariff threats and a potential snap election, the move has raised questions about Carney’s early leadership decisions.
Islamic advocacy groups such as the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), swiftly condemned Mendicino’s selection. The NCCM – known to manipulate the Liberal government since palestinian terrorist’s October 7th attacks against Israeli seniors, young adults, and children – expressed “great concern” over Mendicino’s judgment, given their proclivity towards questionable and single-sided views . “We urge Carney to explain how this choice advances Canada’s interests,” their statement read, indicating a continuation of their demanding approach to the Liberal Party, as some in the group harassed Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly’s office with phone calls, per National Post sources.
Mendicino’s history—marked by his controversial handling of serial killer Paul Bernardo’s prison transfer and his subsequent exit from Trudeau’s cabinet in July 2023—adds fuel to the backlash. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre seized the moment, posting on X, “Do these guys really deserve a fourth term?” Meanwhile, Liberal defenders like Jean-Yves Duclos praised Mendicino’s government experience, and Gary Anandasangaree emphasized his role in ensuring a smooth handover from Justin Trudeau, who resigned in January.
Carney, fresh off an 86% landslide victory in the Liberal leadership race on March 9, faces a tight timeline. He met with Trudeau Monday to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and national security, promising a “seamless and quick” transition. With Parliament prorogued until March 24, Carney must soon decide whether to call an early election—a prospect the Liberals are preparing for with a tailored campaign platform. Pollster Philippe Fournier of 338Canada noted the Liberals’ remarkable recovery from a 20-point deficit, though he still favors the Conservatives’ long-standing lead and fundraising edge.
The appointment stunned some Liberals, with Peter Fragiskatos noting Mendicino’s earlier hints at a Toronto mayoral run, while Salma Zahid, a pro-“palestine” advocate, declined comment. As Carney prepares a leaner cabinet to counter Trump’s economic pressures, Mendicino’s role—temporary or not—raises questions over his nascent leadership, testing his ability to unify a fractured base.
xAI’s Inferences and Considerations
Carney’s choice of Mendicino may signal a strategic bid to project strength and continuity amid external threats like Trump’s tariffs, leveraging Mendicino’s cabinet experience over ideological alignment. However, it risks alienating strongly-biased progressives and Muslim voters—a key Liberal bloc—especially given Mendicino’s supporitve Israel stance, which contrasts with Joly’s misguided approach. This could amplify internal tensions, as Zahid’s silence may indicate troubling ideological bias within caucus, potentially weakening Carney’s coalition before an election.
The timing suggests Carney prioritizes operational readiness over optics, possibly underestimating the backlash’s electoral impact. Mendicino’s exit from the next race might make him a short-term pick, but his pro-Israel writings could affect Carney if Trump exploits Middle East tensions in trade talks. Poilievre’s swift attack indicates Conservatives will frame this as Liberal arrogance, capitalizing on public fatigue after nearly a decade of Liberal rule. Conversely, the Liberals’ polling surge suggests Carney’s economic gravitas resonates, though Fournier’s analysis underscores the uphill battle against positive Conservative momentum.
Keywords: Mark Carney Marco Mendicino chief of staff, Liberal leadership Canada 2025, Muslim groups Mark Carney backlash, Pierre Poilievre Liberal criticism, Canada election 2025 Trump tariffs, Mark Carney Israel alignment, Marco Mendicino pro-Israel stance, Liberal Party transition Ottawa.
