What Mark Carney’s Leadership Means For The Future
Photo Credit: Liberal Party of Canada
On Mar. 14, Mark Carney, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, was sworn in as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister. Carney spearheaded a Liberal Party comeback in the election after months of criticism and distrust of the party under the leadership of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Carney made it very clear to the public that he would be taking significant measures to boost the economy. He has an ambitious plan to make Canada “the strongest economy in the G7.” To accomplish this goal, he is pushing forward “nation building” projects, like energy projects and pipelines. In an interview with CTV News, Carney said, “20 million dollars will go into over 60 projects across BC.”
Carney claimed he will invest in the entire energy supply chain to make Canada a key player in the industry. Achieving this goal will start with making more solar panels and electric vehicles, made out of key components like metals and minerals. Carney also stressed his dedication to the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in future projects. In an interview with APTN News, he promised that “Indigenous consultation under all energy projects is guaranteed.”
Carney is also planning to fund the construction of pipelines across Canada to ship more oil to foreign markets, including countries in Asia and Europe. During a meeting with provincial leaders, the Prime Minister said there is an “absolute interest to decarbonize Canada's oil.” Carney believes that using decarbonized barrels of oil will provide diversification of trade partners as well as provide economic activity around Canada. However, many Canadians are worried about how the use of decarbonized oil will affect the environment, since it heavily relies on fossil fuels.
Trump’s tariffs, and his past threats of making Canada the 51st state have become a pressing issue for the government. In May, Carney met with Trump in Washington to address these matters. After the meeting, Carney described the discussion in an interview with CBC’s Power and Politics. He stated that Trump is starting to realize how “strong and free” Canada is. Trump also mentioned that he had a good conversation with Carney.
Carney deflected suggestions that Canada should become the 51st state in the White House interview with Trump. “[Canada] is not for sale, it won’t be for sale,” Carney responded, but reportedly wants to continue engaging in a partnership with the US.
Additionally, Carney said that he told Trump to stop referring to Canada as the 51st state, and that he will only be doing what is in Canada’s best interest in the “short, medium, and long term.”
Steel and aluminum tariffs have been doubled. Carney told the National Post "They’re bad for American workers, bad for American industry, and, of course, for Canadian industry as well.” Carney explained that he is in “intensive” discussions with America on the trading relationship and the discussions are progressing.
Another one of Carney’s priorities is to strengthen Canada’s defence system. A key player is the Golden Dome, America’s proposed $175 billion defence system. The Golden Dome is a multilayer missile defense system designed to protect against a multitude of aerial threats. It will be able to intercept launches from the other side of the world, or even space. Regarding the Golden Dome, Carney told BBC News, “It's something that we are looking at and something that has been discussed at a high level."
Carney is also planning on modernizing the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) by investing in new technology and working with new partners, such as Australia. Carney’s plan is to “rebuild, reinvest, and re-arm,” to defend Canada’s sovereignty. He is expected to expand Canada’s armed forces in the Arctic and the capabilities of the Navy with new submarines. Carney emphasized that Canadian troops defending Canada at home should have the same equipment and supplies as the troops defending the country’s allies.