Ottawa: Conservative leader Stephen Harper was sworn in as Canada's 22nd Prime Minister on Monday, vowing to clean up government while facing immediate Opposition criticism of his inexperienced Cabinet.
Harper, one of Canada's youngest prime ministers at 46, and his ministers arrived for the ceremony in a Dodge Caravan instead of the usual limousine as part of an effort to show they are close to public concerns.
With his wife, two young children, two brothers, mother and friends in attendance, Harper swore his allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's head of state, before setting out his plans.
He takes over from Paul Martin, whose scandal-tainted Liberals lost the January 23 election after only 18 months in office.
"We know governing in a minority is not going to be easy, but we will be doing our utmost to get the parties to work together," Harper said.
Harper promised to lower consumption taxes, legislation to curb gun violence in major cities and better childcare and healthcare.
He also pledged during the election campaign to revisit Canada's same-sex marriage law, passed in 2005, and to set up Canada's first modern foreign spy service. Both are likely to be controversial.
Harper unveiled a 26-member cabinet, down from 39 in Martin's government, purposely "designed for work, not for show," he said in a statement.
"The 26 ministers are equal members of the team, ensuring equal voices from all regions of Canada," he said. "The structure is designed to promote accountable, efficient and effective government -- more focus and purpose; less process and cost."
But, Opposition leader Bill Graham chided Harper for choosing a former defense lobbyist as defense minister and making an unelected party organizer responsible for billions of dollars in public works spending.
Retired brigadier general Gordon O'Connor was made defense minister while Michael Fortier became Public Works Minister.
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