Mark Carney, an economist and political newcomer, has been sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister and delivered a speech vowing to “never” become a part of the United States.
He takes office on Friday just days after being elected leader of the governing Liberal Party and amid an ongoing trade war with US President Donald Trump.
“We know that by building together, we can give ourselves far more than anyone else can take away,” he said remarks after the ceremony.
Serendipitously, I spent most of this week in Quebec and the conversation turned to politics a few times. Anecdotally, they hate Trump, are offended by his 51st state comments, and worried about tariffs. What was fascinating to me was how their entire political dialogue was about American politics. I even saw a political commercial on television where the attack ad accused some Canadian politician of being too tight with Trump. The visual was of a faceless guy erasing the border.
I thought of that meme with Don Draper saying, “I don’t think of you at all.” As an American, I can’t cite a single instance where my vote was influenced by what some other foreign leader said. I don’t care. I’m interested in how our elected leaders will respond to what foreign leaders say and do, but there’s nothing the PM of Canada could say that would change my vote for school board – much less president. But the entire political landscape in Canada shifts based on what’s happening in America. It’s fascinating.
New boss is the same as the old boss, but maybe slightly less photogenic. Globalists to the bone.