Yvonne Robinson, MBA

Mark Carney’s “Canada Strong” Has Become More Than a Campaign Slogan Stephen Harper’s government trusted Mark Carney with the Bank of Canada. Kevin O’Leary now says he has been “completely impressed” with how Carney has operated. Alberta and Ottawa are working together on energy, India is back negotiating trade with Canada, and Canada is moving deeper into Europe’s defence and economic architecture. At home, the consumer carbon charge is gone, the lowest federal income tax rate has been reduced, Canada has reached NATO’s two per cent defence spending benchmark, and Ottawa has introduced new systems aimed at accelerating major projects and breaking down internal trade barriers. Then came the investment push. Canada’s government says the September investment summit generated nearly C$500 billion in investment and financing commitments across different institutions and timelines, while new projects in energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, housing and manufacturing continue to move forward. But the biggest tests are still ahead. Housing construction has to rise substantially. Trade negotiations with India still have to produce a final agreement. Major projects need to move from announcements to completion. Investment commitments have to become real capital spending, jobs and higher productivity. So has “Canada Strong” become more than a campaign slogan? And can Mark Carney turn the momentum into results Canadians actually feel?