Carney’s cabinet meets for the first time as it stares down a pile of problems [Video]

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly constituted cabinet met for the first time Wednesday on Parliament Hill as the government grapples with a whole host of challenges it will be charged with fixing.

The new ministry has three distinct challenges, among others, bubbling up on its watch: a U.S. trade war that’s already having an impact on Canada’s sluggish economy, persistent consumer affordability challenges and restlessness in Western Canada over the future of natural resources development.

To address cost-of-living concerns, Carney said cabinet’s first order of business is directing Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne to immediately draw up the legislation to pass what the government is calling a middle-class tax cut — a change that will save two-income families up to $825 a year.

“We’re acting on affordability as we look to build up this economy,” Carney said as he signed a “decision note” on the issue in front of the cameras …