Carney plays coy on election timing in first remarks as PM
New Prime Minister Mark Carney is hinting that election could soon be on the horizon but offered no specifics – except that Canadians will be going to the polls “before November.”
New Prime Minister Mark Carney is hinting that election could soon be on the horizon but offered no specifics – except that Canadians will be going to the polls “before November.”
In Carney’s first press conference after being sworn in as Canada’s head of government Friday, the former central banker declined to confirm rumours he’s planning to call a snap election, saying only that Canadians would know more in “the coming days.”
Carney said an election would be held “before November” but also signalled his intent to ensure he has a strong mandate, teasing further news soon.
“Certainly (Canadians) should expect to go to the polls before November,” he said. “There will be other news in the coming days with respect to ensuring that we have as strong a mandate that is needed for the time.”
The latest date for election outside of a time of war would be Sept. 20, 2026, however, Canada’s fixed election law currently has an election slated for Oct. 20, 2025.
Carney also pledged to strengthen ties with European nations as a top priority, with a planned trip to the United Kingdom and France next week.
When asked how he would get rid of the consumer carbon tax in the next two weeks before the scheduled Apr. 1 increase, he said the better question is how he’s going to get rid of it by the end of the day, teeing up an announcement he says will be coming after this afternoon’s cabinet meeting.
On the campaign trail, Carney said he would hike the industrial carbon tax. He originally denied that the industrial carbon tax on “big polluters” such as steel manufacturers would impact Canadians, though he later admitted it would trickle down and make related products more expensive for consumers.
He pledged that his newly sworn 22-seat cabinet would be action-oriented and “deliver better results faster” than Trudeau’s previous 37-seat cabinet. In the event of an election, the ministers will continue to work while Canadians elect the next government.
In a post on X, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pointed out that Carney’s cabinet is 87 per cent comprised of Trudeau’s previous cabinet and 100 per cent of his Liberal caucus.
Carney vowed his cabinet would focus on “protecting Canadian workers and their families in the face of unjustified foreign trade actions” and on “growing” Canada by “putting more money in Canadians’ pockets.”
Carney did not signal any plans to visit the United States but said he looks forward to speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“President Trump has put some very important issues at the top of his agenda. We understand his agenda. We understand the importance of addressing the scourge of fentanyl, which is a challenge here in Canada as well as the United States,” he said. “The measures that have been put in place in recent weeks in Canada and Mexico, also the United States, means that we are making tremendous progress.”
Carney said he would work with Trump to combat the fentanyl crisis he previously called a “challenge” in Canada and to strengthen Canadian jobs and economy while Trump does the same in America.
Carney said he’s uniquely positioned to work with Trump because of their shared experiences.
“I have been in the private sector. I have worked in the real estate sector. I have done large transactions,” he said. “I have worked with him during his first presidency at the G20 at the G7 I respect what he is looking to accomplish, and we have built a base through the interactions we’ve had.”
I'm sure Trump can't wait to have a sit down with Clowney.
Given there is no such thing as steel without a carbon component, perhaps those in the Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie areas should not be voting for someone who moaned that the rate of Trudeau's carbon tax was too low, id est, Carney.