Mark Carney makes chaotic Stampede debut with pancake fails, crowd boos and cowboy charm
Prime Minister Mark Carney made his first appearance at the Calgary Stampede on Friday(July 4), stepping into one of Canada's most famous events with mini doughnuts in one hand and political goodwill in the other.
Wearing dark blue jeans, a navy blazer, brown sneakers, and a cream-colored cowboy hat, Carney toured the rodeo grounds in Calgary, shaking hands with surprised visitors, posing for selfies, and sampling local snacks. His visit marks the return of a longstanding political tradition, one skipped last year by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
More than just a rodeo
The Stampede is more than just a rodeo. It's one of the biggest cultural events in Canada and a key opportunity for federal leaders to connect with Western voters. This year was also a big test for Carney, who became prime minister earlier in 2025 after leading the Liberal Party to a surprise minority government win, including two rare seats in Alberta.
As Carney walked through the busy Midway, a group of women called out, 'What are you doing here?' to which he jokingly replied, 'What are you doing here?'
At the chuckwagon races later that evening, Carney was met with a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd of around 17,000 people. The announcer tried to smooth it over by saying, 'They're saying woo. I heard woo.'The next morning, Carney attended a traditional pancake breakfast, another Stampede must-where he tried flipping pancakes for the crowd. The results weren't great.'I was better in Ottawa,' he joked after two failed flips. 'I got a little cocky there. I'll take responsibility.'One person in the crowd shouted, 'You're even worse than Trudeau!' Carney laughed and responded, 'I'm better at eating pancakes. I'm better at Eggo waffles.'
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who was also at the breakfast, joined in the light-hearted ribbing. The two shared a friendly moment, despite political differences, as the crowd watched the prime minister lean into the chaos. Carney is expected to host a Liberal fundraiser later on Saturday in Calgary. His Stampede visit may not have been flawless, but it showed a different side of the prime minister.
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