Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has raised doubts about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ability to handle negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, especially as Canada is still awaiting a finalized trade agreement that would provide tariff relief. Poilievre, speaking on CBC’s Rosemary Barton Live, criticized Carney for failing to fulfill his campaign promises made during the spring election, including securing a favorable deal by July 21 and successfully negotiating with President Trump.
Carney’s primary focus during the election campaign was on managing relations with the U.S. administration. Efforts were being made to reach a potential agreement on tariffs until Trump unexpectedly terminated trade discussions following an Ontario government advertisement that utilized former President Ronald Reagan’s words to convey an anti-tariff message to American viewers.
Trump mentioned that Carney had apologized for the ad, which was eventually removed from airing, albeit after being broadcast over the weekend, including during the World Series on American networks. The Prime Minister’s Office has not confirmed Carney’s personal apology regarding the advertisement.
Additionally, Trump stated that there are no plans to resume trade negotiations with Canada. Poilievre suggested that enhancing the economy and delivering on commitments to advance major projects could strengthen Canada’s position. He refrained from comparing his approach to Carney’s, emphasizing that he is not currently in the prime ministerial role.
Poilievre emphasized the importance of assessing Carney’s results as prime minister over seven months, highlighting the perceived negative impact of his failures on the country. The full interview with Poilievre is scheduled to be aired on Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.