Martin becomes Canada's new PM

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, December 13, 2003

Martin becomes Canada's new PM

Paul Martin was sworn in Friday as Canada's 21st prime minister and moved quickly to put his stamp onthe government by appointing a dramatically new cabinet.

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Paul Martin was sworn in Friday as Canada's 21st prime minister and moved quickly to put his stamp onthe government by appointing a dramatically new cabinet.

"As prime minister, I look forward to the opportunity to rally Canadians toward a new sense of national purpose and around a new agenda of change and achievement," he said in a statement.

"We are going to change the way things work in Ottawa in order to re-engage Canadians in the political process and achieve demonstrable progress on our priorities," he said.

Martin said he will focus on three goals: strengthening social foundations; fostering economic growth and creating well-paying jobs; promoting Canada's role internationally.

He is also creating new super-departments, including public security, while trimming some traditional ministries.

He dropped 23 of the 38 members of Jean Chretien's cabinet, retaining 15 veteran ministers and filling out the ranks with longtime backbench supporters. The size of cabinet - 39 members including the prime minister - does not change.

Martin and his cabinet were sworn in at Rideau Hall by the clerk of the Privy Council less than an hour after Chretien met with Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to submit his resignation.

Profile: Canada's new leader Paul Martin

Canadian Liberal leader Paul MartinFriday sworn in as Canada's 21st prime minister. Following is a profile of the new prime minister.

Martin was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1938. His father, Liberal cabinet minister Paul Martin Sr., who is the left-leaning architect of Canada's post-war social policy, constitutes the mostimportant influence in his life.

Martin studied philosophy, history and law in the University ofToronto and got lawyer's qualification in 1966. Before he turned his attention to politics, he had a successful career as manager of Quebec-based Power Corp., board chairman and chief executive officer of Canadian Steamship Lines.

Martin was elected member of the House of Parliament in 1988 and had run for the Liberal leader two years later, but failed.

In 1993, he was elected as finance minister and has been on theposition for nine year running. During his term, through slashing public spending and tightening financial budget, Martin managed toturn the country's financial deficit into surplus.

He also gained great credit for his great contribution to restoring the country's financial order and developing the country's economy.

Martin was elected the leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party on Nov.14, 2003. According to the Canadian law, he will succeed the incumbent Jean Chretien as the prime minister of the country.

Martin had visited China as Canadian finance minister. He met visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao earlier this week.

Martin and his wife Sheilla was married in 1965 and have three sons.

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