Well Played, Prime Minister!

In his first press conference since winning the Canadian election, yesterday Mark Carney offered straight talk. No fanfare, no bravado, just direct plans for Canada’s future.

As he often does, our Prime Minister provided a hockey analogy saying that Canadians play opposite each other on many different teams, but when it comes to the Olympics they come together and play as one team. When asked if he’d form a coalition with the NDP, he simply replied, “No.” When Poilievre’s quest for a seat in Parliament was raised, he indicated he’d move quickly to trigger a bi-election to enable the Conservative Party Leader’s place at the table. The new government is already acting on some of the main campaign issues of other parties (cutting taxes, removing GST on new home purchases, extending dental care, growing the military, and toughening the bail laws to ensure criminals stay in jail) demonstrating the Liberals are taking action on what is important to all Canadians regardless of how they voted and reinforcing Canadian unity.

Mark Carney is showing us a new style of government: one where if the Federal Government works with Provinces and puts forward motions in the House of Commons that benefit all Canadians, there will be no need for needless debate, coalition or lobbying – one where Members of Parliament will vote to support what’s right for Canada. Is this real or am I dreaming?

When the topic turned to the United States, Carney declared, “We can give ourselves more than the Americans can take away.” He claimed his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump will focus on tariffs and broader issues. When pressed for more details about his conversation and upcoming meeting this Tuesday, he quipped, “I don’t want to negotiate in public.” When will reporters and the rest of the media realize that this is the intelligent and respectful approach? It’s almost as if some reporters are looking for dirt to make fun of the U.S. Administration, or more specifically, Donald Trump. We know Trump respects strength and this is what he’ll be dealing with next week. Let’s see what happens.

Our Prime Minister has some tricks up his sleeve. He plays his cards close to his chest and some of them are exceptional. One move I’m truly impressed with is his accepted invitation to His Royal Majesty, King Charles III, to deliver the Speech From The Throne at the Opening of Parliament the end of this month. Brilliant! There is no better way to signify that Canada is indeed a sovereign entity and will never, ever become a 51st State. I hope not only Trump (Royal Flush played – green with envy, I’m sure) is watching, but also Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet and Premier Danielle Smith take note as well. Regardless of what some politicians think, Canadians want to work together, and Mark Carney is leading the movement to keep Canada united, strong and free!