Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected on a promise of delivering results—and his government’s early moves show an unapologetic focus on execution.
Facing the unexpected reality of a trade conflict with the United States—driven by a second Trump presidency and inflammatory rhetoric—Carney took office at a critical juncture. While the idea of a trade war with America was once unthinkable, it quickly became a national priority as Trump escalated tensions and even suggested Canada should become the 51st state.
Carney stepped into this volatile moment with a team built to act, not deliberate. In sharp contrast to Justin Trudeau’s government, which was often paralyzed by internal compromise and prolonged consultations, Carney’s approach has been decisive. Trudeau’s final term was marked by political deals like his alliance with Jagmeet Singh’s NDP, which helped keep his minority government afloat—but cost both parties political capital and clarity.
Despite also leading a minority government, Carney is operating with the urgency and pace of someone holding a majority. That’s because, he knows, change in a modern economy is only possible within a narrow window—before entrenched interests and bureaucratic resistance shut the door.
Instead of falling into the trap of transactional coalition politics, Carney has rebuffed formal partnerships with the NDP, opting instead to build cross-party momentum issue by issue, particularly in trade diversification and domestic economic development.
His goal is clear: Canada must move fast, or risk falling behind.
