By Staff
April 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s triumph in Canada’s election this week is that rare political event that really can be explained quite simply. The formula comes in two parts.
By taking over as party leader, Carney rid the Liberals of the deeply unpopular former prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who left power — under pressure but wisely — knowing he was on the verge of sending his storied party into the wilderness. A rather staid, centrist investment banker, more technocrat than politician, Carney offered a stark contrast to the charismatic but increasingly scorned Trudeau. If the country wanted change, Carney would allow the incumbent party to provide it.
Prime Minister explaining how he will govern the country.
But this alone would not have been enough. It is no exaggeration to say that Carney’s victory was enabled by President Donald Trump, whose taunts about turning Canada into the 51st state led Canadians to a new appreciation for their nation’s identity, history and distinctiveness. Trump’s punishing tariffs married their anger to fear, which Carney answered by campaigning under the banner of “Canada strong.” If there was an economic battle to be waged, who better than the former head of the central banks in both Canada and Britain to marshal his nation to the financial barricades?
“Elbows up” is a hockey term for fighting when fighting is required. It became Carney’s battle cry. In a kitschy but effective campaign ad, Carney appeared at a hockey rink with comedian Mike Myers, who proved his Canadian credentials as Carney put him through a national trivia quiz.
Then it was Myers’s turn. “But let me ask you, Mr. Prime Minister, will there always be a Canada?”
Carney’s stern, determined reply: “There will always be a Canada.”
“All right!” Myers replied brightly. “Elbows up!”
Reader Comment:
Way too much emphasis in this election was placed on the big bad wolf aka (Donald J Trump) and his erratic, unpredictable, asymmetric, kooky utterings (51st state) which the writer believes will result in a predictable self-inflicted implosion sooner than later.
And not enough emphasis was placed on the many other Canadian issues that voters, especially seniors, should have considered as part of their informed decision making process, i.e. issues like our safety (gun shooting at Mandarin) , car jackings, catch and release, cost of living, housing and food inflation, debt levels, just to name a few.
Like most Canadians I was as ticked at DJT as the next Canadian, but I was not about to let him influence how I cast my vote.
Why, because I have faith in the American voters who will take care of the situation, and if not by them, then by the bond and stock market.
So in the end Donald got the PM “he” wanted and now we wait to see how the rest of the story unravels.
The silver lining, Canadian pride is at an all time high and the one thing for which we can thank POTUS.
Trump is not going to be impressed with Carney.He has little time for bankers.Carney better come up with a deal that meets Trump goals in critical minerals ,control of the Arctic ,Defence of North America,
moving US owned companies in Canada back to the USA,and getting rid of Supply Management.
Good luck and be prepared to flatter the Supreme Leader.
So many questions. Why did Trump want Carney as Prime Minister? Because he’s a tough negotiator or because he’ll weaken Canada and further Trump’s agenda? One theory is that Carney’s policies will cause Alberta to separate and become the 51st state, how long will it take for the other dominos to fall? Why did we, collectively, allow Trump to manipulate our election?
At the very least, Trump has ensured that Canadians have ensured that carney will not build pipelines or natural gas facilities so that the states will effectively remain the only viable customer for Canadians energy.
Seriously? First, this is the WP – now disgraced due to Bezos’ bizarre relationship with Trump which led to mass exodus of subscribers and journalists. Second, Trump obviously didn’t want Carney to win and surely nobody believed he did. Third, never mind, this is too bizarre to continue to comment on.
I have a comment origin question. Where did you get even one theory for this so many questions comment? How do you have even one set of consistent facts supporting any theory, or even a hypothesis that can be tested? Even an opinion?
Tell me anything that is demonstrable fact, that is observable, that can convince me to believe what you are saying, and how it ties everything you assert together? So many questions.
Carney won the election, with competence, qualifications, and experience. Your leader couldn’t even win his riding, and that is no theory – he did look to be too weak a leader to protect Canada unity.
I felt no manipulation, except from your commercials. Everyone I talked to is happy with the results. That’s the problem with your side – what is claimed by PPCon. I can’t believe you know what you say is true.