Like, if you were wondering whether Prime Minister Mark Carney is done whispering politely on the world stage — spoiler alert — he is absolutely not. This week, Carney basically stood up, adjusted the mic, and told Canadians (and, honestly, the rest of the world) that the vibes are off globally and we need to get it together. Together. TOGETHER.
In a state-of-the-nation speech ahead of a cabinet meeting in Quebec City, Carney urged Canadians to pull together as economic challenges loom, while casually reminding the world that Canada is still a beacon in a global moment that’s drifting uncomfortably toward authoritarian energy. These were his first public remarks since returning from a multileg international tour aimed at cozying up to trading partners beyond the United States — notably China — and yes, the timing was very intentional.
Fresh off Davos, where he got actual standing ovation for saying the rules-based international order has fractured, Carney told Canadians that unity is kind of the whole point right now. “When we are united, unity grows. When we are Canadian – inclusive, fair, ambitious – Canada grows,” he said, which honestly sounds like it could be embroidered on a tote bag.
He also reminded everyone that Quebec has twice chosen to stay in Canada (no referendum gossip though), and that Canadian values don’t just exist — they have to be defended. “Our values must be fought for. That’s what we’re doing, and Canadians are up for it,” he said.
Then came the not-so-subtle clapback at U.S. President Donald Trump, who had claimed Canada wouldn’t exist without the U.S. Carney acknowledged the partnership, then delivered the line of the week: “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.” Iconic.
Trump did not love that. Later that day, he rescinded an invitation for Carney to join his so-called Board of Peace, writing that the board was withdrawing its invitation to Canada’s joining what he described as “the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled.” Petty?
Carney didn’t take questions, but he did acknowledge the urgency of cost-of-living pressures worsened by Trump’s tariffs. “Now we need to execute. Fairly and fast,” he said, pointing to nation-building projects and a push for one Canadian economy — though Parliament math means he still needs opposition votes to get much done.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre even praised Carney’s Davos speech as “well-crafted and eloquently delivered,” before listing what he called unkept promises on housing, trade, resources, and defence. Finance Minister François-Phillippe Champagne, meanwhile, said cabinet talks are focused on affordability, jobs, and resilience — “top of mind for Canadians.”
And zooming out globally? Carney’s Davos speech hit harder. He warned of a world of “rupture, not transition,” citing the danger of ravenous great powers using interdependence as a weapon. Quoting Vaclav Havel, he warned against weak compliance. “To accommodate. To avoid trouble. To hope that compliance will buy safety. It won’t.”
The wolf he’s worried about? Mostly Trump’s America. Especially with tariff threats tied to Greenland and a social media post showing a U.S. flag stretching over Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela. Cute map. Terrible message.
Carney declared the old, U.S.-backed rules-based order effectively dead, calling this “the beginning of a brutal reality where geopolitics among the great powers is not subject to any constraints.” Not everyone in Davos agreed — Emmanuel Macron pleaded for the rules to come back — but Carney called on middle powers to band together anyway.
Is there a clear plan? Even experts like Fen Hampson say it’s provocative but fuzzy. Still, for Canada, the message is clear: the country’s biggest trade and security partner is also a risk — and Carney is calling for resistance.
Like… no pressure or anything.
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
