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Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Business community eyeing new cabinet for signs Carney is shifting priorities
OTTAWA - Canada's business community will be watching Tuesday's cabinet shuffle closely for signs that Prime Minister Mark Carney will be easier to work with than the last Liberal government. Business leaders say they want the new prime minister to use his cabinet lineup to extend an olive branch to Western Canada and to back up his claim that he wants to build up Canada's energy sector and launch nation-building projects. Matthew Holmes, head of public policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said he wants to see business and international experience reflected in the new cabinet after Carney vowed to bring about big changes quickly. 'If he's going to do that, who has demonstrated the ability to do that in the past and not get bogged down with a lot of process or nitpicking? We need people who are big thinkers, who are all about delivery and execution,' he said. Holmes said the business community has been sounding the alarm for many years about Canada's struggles to get major infrastructure projects built — a problem that's coming to a head now due to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade aggression. 'Those sorts of big things that have long tails for the economy, those have been really mired in a slow, sclerotic type of process with lots of redundancy, or argument between the federal government and provincial governments, a lot of opacity or process issues that don't allow the business community to move quickly,' Holmes said. 'At a moment that is really … a crisis moment for the economy, that's when these sorts of decisions come back to haunt you. That's why we're seeing such a focus right now on having a business-focused government.' Robert Asselin, senior vice president of policy at the Business Council of Canada, also said he'll be looking to see if Carney can hit the reset button on energy and environment, following the prime minister's promises to work more collaboratively with Western provinces. 'For energy and environment, those two portfolios, I think new faces are required, frankly, and people that will reset the tone and the relationships with provinces, but also with the energy sector,' he said. 'That's an important test.' One way Carney can show he is singularly committed to the economy and trade, he said, is by assembling a lean cabinet. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet ballooned to 40 ministers before he left office. Carney had 24 people in his first cabinet, including himself. Fen Hampson, professor of international affairs at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa, said the prime minister will have to address a very real source tension as he names his cabinet. He said that while 'Carney version 1.0' cannot look like a 'retread of Trudeau 3.0,' he also has a number of 'steady hands at the tiller' — ministers in key portfolios who don't need to learn their jobs. 'He's going to have to put a fresh face on the government but keep people who were highly competent around,' Hampson said. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly have been the main interlocutors with key figures in the Trump administration, such as U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The government is expected to launch a packed legislative agenda when Parliament returns in two weeks — one that includes a tax cut and attempts to eliminate internal trade barriers. It also has to prepare for some major international diplomatic events that are just around the corner. The next defence minister will be explaining the pace of Canada's defence spending at the NATO summit in The Hague in June. That same month, Canada hosts the G7 summit in Kananaskis. Holmes said Carney's choice for the defence portfolio could prove to be a 'sleeper' decision on Tuesday, given the importance of selling the message that Canada is getting serious about its NATO commitments. 'It'll probably be overlooked in picking the bones after everything's revealed, but that one can come back to bite us if that selection isn't done carefully,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2025.
Global News
07-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Carney to brief premiers on Trump meeting: ‘More work to do'
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to brief Canada's premiers today following his seemingly successful first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Carney and Trump spent about two hours together at the White House, including about half an hour in front of the cameras in the Oval Office, and a private luncheon. Both leaders were accompanied by senior members of their cabinets and their chiefs of staff. It was their first face-to-face discussion about U.S.-Canada relations and Trump's ongoing trade war since Carney was sworn in as prime minister on March 14. Both leaders emerged from it appearing pleased with how it had gone, with Trump indicating he liked Carney and that there had been no tension during their talks. Story continues below advertisement Carney said the leaders are now 'fully engaged,' but that there's 'a lot more work to do.' The prime minister said he will host a call with Canada's premiers Wednesday to discuss his conversation with Trump and the work that needs to be done. Carney said he and Trump agreed to have further conversations in the coming weeks. That will include another in-person discussion in June when Carney hosts G7 leaders, including Trump, at a summit in Alberta. 'Really, today marked the end of the beginning of a process of the United States and Canada redefining that relationship of working together,' Carney said. 2:13 Carney-Trump meeting watched around the world 'The question is how we will co-operate in the future. How we can build an economic and security relationship built on mutual respect, built on common interests that delivers transformational benefits to our economies.' Story continues below advertisement Carney made clear that the two had met as the leaders of 'sovereign nations' having told Trump in public and private multiple times that Canadians are not interested in becoming American, and that that will never change. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He said in his meeting with the premiers, Canada will focus on what it can control. 'We are going to reinforce our strength at home,' Carney said, noting that his government will reinforce security and boost the economy. Fen Hampson, professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University and co-chair of the Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations, said Carney has to manage a 'two-track set' of negotiations moving forward. He will have to face upcoming negotiations on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, which is scheduled to be reviewed in 2026, but Trump has indicated he wants reopened sooner. Then there is the 'more immediate' negotiating challenge of getting tariffs lifted. 'That's the first order of the day because I think he recognizes, our government recognizes, that you can't be renegotiating NAFTA when essentially the Americans have broken the back of the agreement with these very punitive tariffs, particularly our manufacturing sector,' Hampson said. Carney said at his press conference Tuesday that, with respect to the importance of re-establishing a constructive relationship for negotiations of an economic and security partnership, he looks 'forward not back' and thinks the leaders established a 'good basis.' Story continues below advertisement 5:17 Ontario's trade minister sees progress in ever-changing Trump tariff threats While Trump said Tuesday that there was nothing Carney could say to get him to lift the tariffs immediately, Hampson said the president is 'quite capable' of changing his mind. 'We've seen that before in many cases, we've even seen it with tariffs. He's imposed tariffs and then lowered them or delayed them,' Hampson said. What's going to work in Canada's favour, Hampson said, is that the American economy is 'about to tank' as a result of tariffs imposed on Canada and other countries, like China. Hampson said the challenge will be getting Trump to understand the importance of Canada's market. Carney is expected to name a new cabinet next week, ahead of the return of Parliament at the end of the month. Hampson said he suspects the prime minister will be making some changes to his core team and that he's going to have to pick people who are who are 'tough and good negotiators.' Story continues below advertisement 'As he looks to potential cabinet appointments, he really needs to look at them not just in terms of their management and ministerial skills, but in terms of their negotiating skills because they're going to have to do some of the negotiating,' Hampson said.
National Observer
07-05-2025
- Business
- National Observer
Carney says there's 'more work to do' after his meeting with Trump
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to brief Canada's premiers today following his seemingly successful first meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Carney and Trump spent about two hours together at the White House, including about half an hour in front of the cameras in the Oval Office, and a private luncheon. Both leaders were accompanied by senior members of their cabinets and their chiefs of staff. It was their first face-to-face discussion about US-Canada relations and Trump's ongoing trade war since Carney was sworn in as prime minister on March 14. Both leaders emerged from it appearing pleased with how it had gone, with Trump indicating he liked Carney and that there had been no tension during their talks. Carney said the leaders are now "fully engaged," but that there's "a lot more work to do." The prime minister said he will host a call with Canada's premiers Wednesday to discuss his conversation with Trump and the work that needs to be done. Carney said he and Trump agreed to have further conversations in the coming weeks. That will include another in-person discussion in June when Carney hosts G7 leaders, including Trump, at a summit in Alberta. "Really, today marked the end of the beginning of a process of the United States and Canada redefining that relationship of working together," Carney said. "The question is how we will co-operate in the future. How we can build an economic and security relationship built on mutual respect, built on common interests that delivers transformational benefits to our economies." Carney made clear that the two had met as the leaders of "sovereign nations" having told Trump in public and private multiple times that Canadians are not interested in becoming American, and that that will never change. He said in his meeting with the premiers, Canada will focus on what it can control. "We are going to reinforce our strength at home," Carney said, noting that his government will reinforce security and boost the economy. Fen Hampson, professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University and co-chair of the Expert Group on Canada-US Relations, said Carney has to manage a "two-track set" of negotiations moving forward. He will have to face upcoming negotiations on the Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement, which is scheduled to be reviewed in 2026, but Trump has indicated he wants reopened sooner. Then there is the "more immediate" negotiating challenge of getting tariffs lifted. "That's the first order of the day because I think he recognizes, our government recognizes, that you can't be renegotiating NAFTA when essentially the Americans have broken the back of the agreement with these very punitive tariffs, particularly our manufacturing sector," Hampson said. Carney said at his press conference Tuesday that, with respect to the importance of re-establishing a constructive relationship for negotiations of an economic and security partnership, he looks "forward not back" and thinks the leaders established a "good basis." While Trump said Tuesday that there was nothing Carney could say to get him to lift the tariffs immediately, Hampson said the president is "quite capable" of changing his mind. "We've seen that before in many cases, we've even seen it with tariffs. He's imposed tariffs and then lowered them or delayed them," Hampson said. What's going to work in Canada's favour, Hampson said, is that the American economy is "about to tank" as a result of tariffs imposed on Canada and other countries, like China. Hampson said the challenge will be getting Trump to understand the importance of Canada's market. Carney is expected to name a new cabinet next week, ahead of the return of Parliament at the end of the month. Hampson said he suspects the prime minister will be making some changes to his core team and that he's going to have to pick people who are who are "tough and good negotiators." "As he looks to potential cabinet appointments, he really needs to look at them not just in terms of their management and ministerial skills, but in terms of their negotiating skills because they're going to have to do some of the negotiating," Hampson said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Carney says there's ‘more work to do' after meeting with Trump
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to brief Canada's premiers today following his seemingly successful first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Carney and Trump spent about two hours together at the White House, including about half an hour in front of the cameras in the Oval Office, and a private luncheon. Both leaders were accompanied by senior members of their cabinets and their chiefs of staff. It was their first face-to-face discussion about U.S.-Canada relations and Trump's ongoing trade war since Carney was sworn in as prime minister on March 14. Both leaders emerged from it appearing pleased with how it had gone, with Trump indicating he liked Carney and that there had been no tension during their talks. Carney said the leaders are now 'fully engaged,' but that there's 'a lot more work to do.' The prime minister said he will host a call with Canada's premiers Wednesday to discuss his conversation with Trump and the work that needs to be done. Carney said he and Trump agreed to have further conversations in the coming weeks. That will include another in-person discussion in June when Carney hosts G7 leaders, including Trump, at a summit in Alberta. 'Really, today marked the end of the beginning of a process of the United States and Canada redefining that relationship of working together,' Carney said. 'The question is how we will co-operate in the future. How we can build an economic and security relationship built on mutual respect, built on common interests that delivers transformational benefits to our economies.' Carney made clear that the two had met as the leaders of 'sovereign nations' having told Trump in public and private multiple times that Canadians are not interested in becoming American, and that that will never change. He said in his meeting with the premiers, Canada will focus on what it can control. 'We are going to reinforce our strength at home,' Carney said, noting that his government will reinforce security and boost the economy. Fen Hampson, professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University and co-chair of the Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations, said Carney has to manage a 'two-track set' of negotiations moving forward. He will have to face upcoming negotiations on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, which is scheduled to be reviewed in 2026, but Trump has indicated he wants reopened sooner. Then there is the 'more immediate' negotiating challenge of getting tariffs lifted. 'That's the first order of the day because I think he recognizes, our government recognizes, that you can't be renegotiating NAFTA when essentially the Americans have broken the back of the agreement with these very punitive tariffs, particularly our manufacturing sector,' Hampson said. Carney said at his press conference Tuesday that, with respect to the importance of re-establishing a constructive relationship for negotiations of an economic and security partnership, he looks 'forward not back' and thinks the leaders established a 'good basis.' While Trump said Tuesday that there was nothing Carney could say to get him to lift the tariffs immediately, Hampson said the president is 'quite capable' of changing his mind. 'We've seen that before in many cases, we've even seen it with tariffs. He's imposed tariffs and then lowered them or delayed them,' Hampson said. What's going to work in Canada's favour, Hampson said, is that the American economy is 'about to tank' as a result of tariffs imposed on Canada and other countries, like China. Hampson said the challenge will be getting Trump to understand the importance of Canada's market. Carney is expected to name a new cabinet next week, ahead of the return of Parliament at the end of the month. Hampson said he suspects the prime minister will be making some changes to his core team and that he's going to have to pick people who are who are 'tough and good negotiators.' 'As he looks to potential cabinet appointments, he really needs to look at them not just in terms of their management and ministerial skills, but in terms of their negotiating skills because they're going to have to do some of the negotiating,' Hampson said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Carney says there's 'more work to do' after meeting with Trump
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to brief Canada's premiers today following his seemingly successful first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Carney and Trump spent about two hours together at the White House, including about half an hour in front of the cameras in the Oval Office, and a private luncheon. Both leaders were accompanied by senior members of their cabinets and their chiefs of staff. Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump engage in a meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld It was their first face-to-face discussion about U.S.-Canada relations and Trump's ongoing trade war since Carney was sworn in as prime minister on March 14. Both leaders emerged from it appearing pleased with how it had gone, with Trump indicating he liked Carney and that there had been no tension during their talks. Carney said the leaders are now 'fully engaged,' but that there's 'a lot more work to do.' The prime minister said he will host a call with Canada's premiers Wednesday to discuss his conversation with Trump and the work that needs to be done. Carney said he and Trump agreed to have further conversations in the coming weeks. That will include another in-person discussion in June when Carney hosts G7 leaders, including Trump, at a summit in Alberta. 'Really, today marked the end of the beginning of a process of the United States and Canada redefining that relationship of working together,' Carney said. 'The question is how we will co-operate in the future. How we can build an economic and security relationship built on mutual respect, built on common interests that delivers transformational benefits to our economies.' Carney made clear that the two had met as the leaders of 'sovereign nations' having told Trump in public and private multiple times that Canadians are not interested in becoming American, and that that will never change. He said in his meeting with the premiers, Canada will focus on what it can control. 'We are going to reinforce our strength at home,' Carney said, noting that his government will reinforce security and boost the economy. Fen Hampson, professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University and co-chair of the Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations, said Carney has to manage a 'two-track set' of negotiations moving forward. He will have to face upcoming negotiations on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement, which is scheduled to be reviewed in 2026, but Trump has indicated he wants reopened sooner. Then there is the 'more immediate' negotiating challenge of getting tariffs lifted. 'That's the first order of the day because I think he recognizes, our government recognizes, that you can't be renegotiating NAFTA when essentially the Americans have broken the back of the agreement with these very punitive tariffs, particularly our manufacturing sector,' Hampson said. Carney said at his press conference Tuesday that, with respect to the importance of re-establishing a constructive relationship for negotiations of an economic and security partnership, he looks 'forward not back' and thinks the leaders established a 'good basis.' While Trump said Tuesday that there was nothing Carney could say to get him to lift the tariffs immediately, Hampson said the president is 'quite capable' of changing his mind. 'We've seen that before in many cases, we've even seen it with tariffs. He's imposed tariffs and then lowered them or delayed them,' Hampson said. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up What's going to work in Canada's favour, Hampson said, is that the American economy is 'about to tank' as a result of tariffs imposed on Canada and other countries, like China. Hampson said the challenge will be getting Trump to understand the importance of Canada's market. Carney is expected to name a new cabinet next week, ahead of the return of Parliament at the end of the month. Hampson said he suspects the prime minister will be making some changes to his core team and that he's going to have to pick people who are who are 'tough and good negotiators.' 'As he looks to potential cabinet appointments, he really needs to look at them not just in terms of their management and ministerial skills, but in terms of their negotiating skills because they're going to have to do some of the negotiating,' Hampson said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025.
