Martin Is Sworn In as Premier of Canada

OTTAWA — Paul Martin was sworn in as Canada’s 21st prime minister Friday, promising an “ambitious” agenda that would focus on “bringing freshness and clarity” to the nation’s place in the world and mending ties with the United States that frayed under his predecessor, Jean Chretien.

Martin said he would chair a new committee devoted to assessing and improving relations with the U.S. He expects to confer by phone with President Bush on Monday and meet one-on-one with him at a summit in Mexico in January.

The prime minister said he wanted to reestablish the “tone” between Canada and the United States “so we can look at fundamental problems, whether it’s softwood lumber, the situation with the reconstruction in Iraq or agricultural problems.”

Martin, 65, took the oath of office in fluent French and English at the offices of Canada’s governor-general. Beforehand, an Indian elder dusted Martin with an eagle feather in a purification rite; afterward, a children’s choir sang “O Canada.”

Chretien, beloved by most Canadians but at odds with the Bush administration over Iraq and other issues, stepped down in a private ceremony an hour earlier after 10 years as prime minister and 40 years in politics. Raised in a Quebec mill town, the 18th of 19 children, he was one of the longest-serving leaders in the West.

As Chretien’s finance minister for nine years, Martin was credited with cutting Canada’s deficit. At a news conference, Martin listed three key priorities for his government: reinforcing the universal health care system, education and other social programs; revitalizing the economy and creating good jobs; and enhancing Canada’s international role with diplomatic, trade and defense initiatives.

He said his government would review military spending, which had been criticized as too little.

Martin’s new government will also have to deal with several controversial bills proposed by Chretien that await passage, including one to legalize gay marriage and another to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.