In a powerful speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney laid out his country’s bold vision for navigating the shifting geopolitical landscape. Carney acknowledged the “rupture” in the international order, marked by the fading of the rules-based system and the rise of great power rivalry.
Rejecting the temptation to simply “go along to get along,” Carney declared that Canada is taking a principled yet pragmatic approach. The country is actively engaging with the world as it is, not waiting for a world it wishes to be. Canada is building strategic partnerships across the globe, from the EU to China, to maximise its influence and protect its interests.
Crucially, Carney emphasised that Canada is no longer relying solely on the strength of its values, but also the value of its strength. The government has slashed taxes, removed interprovincial trade barriers, and is fast-tracking over a trillion dollars in investments to bolster its domestic industries and resilience.
Carney argued that middle powers like Canada have a choice – they can compete for the favour of hegemons, or they can combine to forge a “third path” that upholds their sovereignty and shared values. Canada, he said, is choosing the latter, by building coalitions on specific issues and creating a “dense web of connections” across trade, investment and culture.
The prime minister made a passionate call for countries to stop “living within a lie” and name the reality of the new global order. He urged middle powers to apply the same standards to allies and rivals, and to reduce their vulnerability to coercion through economic diversification.
Carney concluded by declaring that Canada understands the magnitude of the challenge, but is determined to shape the emerging order rather than simply adapt to it. “The powerful have their power,” he said, “but we have the capacity to stop pretending, to name reality, to build our strength at home and to act together.”
