In his first major address on home soil since his high-profile warnings at Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged his fellow citizens to stand united in the face of growing international challenges.
Delivering a speech at La Citadelle, a 19th-century military fortress in Quebec City, Carney vowed to “fight for Canadian values” in a “divided” world, stating that the old rules-based international order “is not coming back.” His remarks built on themes he had touched upon at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he cautioned that the “bargain” that included American hegemony no longer works.
Carney’s address came ahead of a meeting with his federal cabinet, and he outlined the government’s plans to swiftly implement “ambitious” measures to bolster the Canadian economy in the face of global turmoil. He also took a subtle jab at US President Donald Trump, who had claimed that “Canada lives because of the United States.” Carney firmly rebutted this, stating that “Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”
The prime minister’s speech has received praise both at home and abroad, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum describing it as “in tune with current times.” However, it has also raised concerns about the potential impact on Canada’s relationship with the Trump administration, as the country continues to negotiate a trade deal with the US and the renegotiation of the USMCA (North American free trade agreement).
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick accused Carney of “political marketing” and being “arrogant,” claiming that Canada has “the second best deal” with the US due to the USMCA. Lutnick warned that Canada is “playing with a set of rules that they haven’t really thought through” and should not aim to be “like the rest of the world” but rather remain a “favoured neighbour.”
In Canada, Carney’s political opposition has urged him to follow up his Davos address with concrete action, with Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner stating that the prime minister cannot simply “re-announcing projects or creating new bureaucracies” to address the country’s pressing economic and cost-of-living issues.
Acknowledging this, Carney pledged to “execute, fairly and fast,” outlining plans to break down domestic barriers to trade, fast-track major projects, and secure trade deals with non-US allies. The prime minister’s speech comes after an eight-day trip that included stops in Qatar and China, where he reportedly secured deals to lower tariffs and boost investments in Canada.
Polling suggests that Carney’s government is viewed favourably by roughly half of Canadians, with 47% approving of his performance. As the country navigates the turbulent global landscape, the prime minister’s call for national unity and decisive action will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
