Carney talks Stephen Harper and Donald Trump; why a ‘unique alliance’ with EU might be unlikely; and more
- Mark Carney praised former prime minister Harper's global influence, sharing an anecdote about Donald Trump gifting him a "key to the White House" during their 2025 meeting.
- Carney proposed a unique Canada-EU alliance, but the EU lacks a clear legal framework for this and is cautious about setting precedents that might benefit other allies.
- Some separatists believe Justin Trudeau's continued leadership might have enabled Canadian separation, viewing Carney's diplomatic efforts as undermining their cause.
- Protesters, including labor unions and activists, rallied against Carney at an event for wealthy investors, potentially energizing the NDP with Avi Lewis's left-wing agenda.
It’s Tuesday, September 15. Here are the top stories we’re following today.
Carney said former prime minister Harper is well positioned in the global investment landscape. “He’s influential with a number of investors and businesses around world, and it’s helpful for Canada.” During the same interview, Carney told a story about Donald Trump giving him a “very special” present at their May 6, 2025 meeting: “He said, ‘Yeah, it’s a key to the White House. You just bring it, they’ll let you in,’” Carney recounted. “And then he says, ‘maybe they’ll shoot you.’”
Read the story
While Mark Carney has suggested he would like a “unique alliance” between Canada and the European Union, the EU has no ready-made legal route for granting that. Theoretically, the EU could devise a new arrangement, but it would be wary of creating a precedent because any generous concession to Canada could prompt other allies outside the bloc to demand comparable treatment, says an analyst.
Read the story
“If Justin Trudeau had stayed in power, I’m quite sure we would have been able to (separate),” says one committed separatist. “Because Mark Carney is trying to extend an olive branch, that’s kind of hurting our cause.”
Read the story
On Monday night, hundreds of protesters marched to where Mark Carney was hosting some of the world’s wealthiest investors. “The demonstration reunited an old-school coalition of labour unions, Indigenous activists, environmentalists, housing advocates and anti-war groups,” Kheiriddin writes. She adds that Carney “may have given the NDP a boost — or at least, a foil” as there are signs that new leader Avi Lewis’s farther-left message is finding an audience.
Read the column
A group of 18 MPs and one peer from the Labour Party, the Lib Dems and the Green Party called on the U.K. defence minister to swap fake fur for the bearskin on the caps to “meet today’s ethical standards.” The bearskin caps, which were introduced into the British Army after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, are each made with the pelt of one Canadian black bear.
Read the story