The article examines the political landscape in Canada following the election of Mark Carney as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Despite a political downturn for Democrats post-election, centrist liberals in other Western democracies are gaining momentum, largely due to the perceived threat posed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Notably, Trump’s stance, which includes critiques of longstanding American allies, has unintentionally benefited center-left parties. These parties are now positioning themselves as protectors of national interests against right-wing populism.
Canada exemplifies this trend. The Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau since 2015, was initially facing a likely electoral defeat. However, growing discontent with voter demoralization due to prolonged periods of power, combined with economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, led to a decline in support for the party. The Conservative Party of Canada, under Pierre Poilievre, was capitalizing on this sentiment with a compelling message that “Canada is broken.”
The political narrative shifted significantly when Trump suggested that Canada could be better served as the 51st state of the United States, thus reframing Canadian politics. In response, the Liberals seized the opportunity to present themselves as the party best equipped to uphold national unity, gaining ground over both the Conservative Party and other parties such as the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois. This repositioning was aided by historical perceptions of the Liberals as Canada’s “natural governing party.”
Subsequently, on February 19, Mark Carney replaced Trudeau as the Liberal leader, embracing a theme of national unity and contributing to a notable surge in polling for the Liberals. Where they once lagged behind the Conservatives, the Liberals have gained a lead, buoyed by dwindling support for the NDP and the Bloc Québécois. These shifts appear to be rallying left-leaning voters concerned by Trump’s influence and wary of the CPC’s perceived alignment with Trumpist ideologies.
Carney called for a snap election to take place on April 28, with hopes of securing a majority government for the Liberals. However, the article suggests that Carney’s politics might not convert nationalist fervor into effective solutions for Canada’s social and economic challenges, likening his approach to Joe Biden’s positioning in 2020.
Furthermore, Carney’s background as a neoliberal technocrat may limit his ability to challenge significant existing economic powers. His initial policy moves saw him remove a consumer carbon tax and cancel a proposed capital gains tax hike, interpreted as favoring conservative voters and wealthier taxpayers.
Despite acknowledging issues such as climate change and economic disparity, Carney’s proposed solutions are viewed as limited by those like James Hardwick. Critics argue he advocates for a brand of neoliberalism that encourages ethical business practices without challenging corporate power.
The article concludes by questioning the adequacy of Carney’s approach to nationalism and suggests that Canada might require more resourceful policies to address current economic challenges and potential external threats from figures like Trump. Carney’s nationalism is characterized as nostalgic, risking insufficiency against fascist threats, analogous to historical state projects that drove collective national progress.
