(0:00 - 0:52) Good evening, I'm Will Dove, and these are the top stories for Tuesday, May 13th. Mark Carney revealed his 28-member cabinet today, with half of the ministers possessing limited government experience, raising concerns about the administration's readiness to tackle Canada's mounting economic and social challenges. Thirteen of the appointed ministers are newly elected MPs. Carney also appointed ten secretaries of state, for a total of 38 appointments. In a move signalling continuity with the previous Liberal government, Carney has retained Chrystia Freeland in his cabinet, appointing her as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade. This appointment comes despite widespread criticism of Freeland's previous economic management as finance minister, where she oversaw unprecedented levels of government spending and inflation that has devastated Canadian households. (0:52 - 1:57) The cabinet announcement, made at Rideau Hall this morning, confirms fears that Carney's government will continue the same failed policies that have characterized Canadian governance in recent years. Political analysts note that by keeping Freeland in a prominent position, Carney is signalling his intention to maintain close ties with the World Economic Forum and globalist interests that have dominated Canadian policy direction. Among the inexperienced ministers appointed are several former academics and NGO directors with strong ties to international organizations, but limited practical experience in government administration or the private sector. Critics argue this lack of real-world experience could further hamper Canada's economic recovery, as the country faces increasing international competition and domestic fiscal challenges. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre responded to the appointments by pointing out that the new team is the same as the old team. Reversing liberal policies in these areas, we now have to find out if he was serious. (1:58 - 2:08) So far, it is not a promising start. The first disappointment is, unfortunately, his cabinet. He appointed Trudeau's old team and Trudeau's old advisers. (2:09 - 2:35) Steven Guilbeault, whose radical green agenda would shut down all future developments in our resource industry, is still the minister responsible for Quebec. Sean Fraser was the immigration minister who caused the immigration crisis, the housing minister who gave us the housing crisis, and now he is the minister responsible for addressing the liberal crime crisis. It seems like he is the master at failing upward. (2:36 - 5:33) Chrystia Freeland, who as finance minister hiked capital gains tax and carbon taxes and massively grew our debt to the point where we now spend a billion dollars a week on interest, stays in the cabinet. The cabinet's composition reflects a heavy urban bias, with minimal representation from rural communities and resource-dependent regions. Only three ministers hail from the Prairie provinces, despite these regions being crucial to Canada's agricultural and energy sectors. The cabinet's first meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, where they are expected to begin work on the government's first budget and legislative agenda. Alberta's government, led by Premier Danielle Smith, announced today a freeze on the industrial carbon tax under the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Program, capping it at $95 per tonne of emissions. This move directly challenges the federal government's plan to escalate the tax to $110 per tonne next year and $170 per tonne by 2030. The decision comes as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods, which Smith argues threaten Alberta's economic competitiveness. Alberta's industrial carbon tax system, TIER, has been in place since 2007. Our approach has reduced emissions in intensity by over 22% and reduced overall emissions by an estimated 7.2%, while production increased by 90%. We have a reasonable system in place that's working, but any additional increases past $100 per tonne will wipe out any of the benefits we've seen. That means fewer jobs for Albertans, less revenue to invest in our public services, and decreased innovation across our industries. But instead of supporting our industry, Ottawa wants to increase their industrial carbon tax to $170 per tonne by 2030. The TIER program, which regulates emissions from large industrial facilities, was set to align with Ottawa's escalating carbon pricing framework. However, Alberta's freeze is positioned as a protective measure against what Smith calls federal overreach that burdens the province's oil and gas sector. Critics, including federal officials, argue the freeze undermines Canada's net-zero ambitions, potentially creating a rift with Carney's climate agenda. Smith highlighted that the carbon tax increase would exacerbate financial pressures on Alberta's energy producers, already grappling with a 25% U.S. tariff on Canadian-built cars and parts. The province's oil and gas industry, a cornerstone of its economy, faces additional strain from federal policies like the proposed emissions cap and clean energy regulations, which Alberta seeks to resist. The freeze is expected to save industrial emitters approximately $150 million annually based on current emission levels, though exact figures depend on production rates. (5:34 - 6:02) This standoff sets the stage for a broader conflict between Alberta and the federal government. Carney's administration has signaled it may enforce compliance through legal measures or federal funding cuts, while Alberta's Bill 54, tabled on April 29, emphasizes referendums to bolster provincial autonomy. The bill demands scrapping pipeline-hindering legislation and federal censorship of energy firms, reflecting Alberta's push for control over its resources. (6:03 - 8:24) Honda Motor Co. has postponed its $15 billion electric vehicle project in Ontario, dealing a significant blow to Canada's EV manufacturing ambitions. The decision, announced today, follows a 59% drop in Honda's annual profit to 500 billion yen — 4.73 billion — and is driven by U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican-built vehicles. Honda executives in Tokyo stated they must very carefully reconsider global investment plans, eyeing a shift of production to U.S. facilities to mitigate tariff costs. The project, heavily subsidized by Canadian taxpayers, included an EV battery plant and a retooled vehicle assembly facility in Alliston, Ontario. The halt reflects a sharp decline in EV demand and economic uncertainty fueled by Trump's trade policies, which are projected to cut Honda's operating profits by over $4.4 billion next year. The Alliston plant, a key employer in the region, will not face immediate job losses, but the postponement raises doubts about the long-term viability of Canada's publicly funded EV initiatives. Sources report that Ontario's automotive sector is already turbulent, with supply chain disruptions and price increases looming due to tariffs. Federal and provincial governments had touted the Honda project as a cornerstone of Canada's green transition, with the $15 billion in government funding being part of the $50 billion allocated in Quebec and Ontario for EV projects. However, critics argue that such incentives expose taxpayers to undue risk when global market conditions shift. The Western Standard reported that Honda's retreat signals worsening conditions in the auto industry exacerbated by federal policies like the net zero car mandate, which some see as misaligned with market realities, as electric vehicle sales continue to fall. Honda's pivot to U.S. production highlights the vulnerability of Canada's manufacturing sector to international trade dynamics, leaving policymakers to grapple with how to salvage the EV agenda without further burdening taxpayers. I'm Will Dove, and those are the top stories for today, Tuesday, May 13th.