Carney promises to ‘build big, build bold’ in 1st news conference since election
Prime minister’s agenda targets cost-of-living relief with GST cuts, affordable housing construction
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will go through the biggest economic transformation since the Second World War. Carney speaks to reporters at the national press theatre in Ottawa during his first press conference since his Liberal party was re-elected in Monday’s federal election. (Photo by Nehaa Bimal)
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first news conference since he was elected Monday was broad in scope but short on specifics for the Canadian Arctic.
Speaking at Ottawa’s National Press Theatre on Friday, Carney laid out his sweeping plans to transform Canada’s economy, lower costs for families, and strengthen national security.
He provided no direct announcements related to the North.
However, several of his priorities align with Arctic concerns, including cost-of-living measures, national defence, and housing. He emphasized his intent to “build big, build bold and build now.”
Carney outlined plans to eliminate the GST for first-time homebuyers on homes at or under $1 million, reduce development charges, and create a modular and prefabricated housing industry using Canadian materials and workers.
“These tax measures will provide immediate relief, but they will not be sufficient to make housing affordable again. For that, we have to build,” Carney said.
He also pledged to remove federal barriers to internal trade by July 1, working with “provinces, territories, and Indigenous groups” to identify national-interest projects that will better connect Canada and stimulate economic growth.
On political strategy, Carney responded with a flat “no” when asked about the possibility of returning to a governing pact with the NDP.
The NDP propped up a minority Liberal government in 2022 with a supply-and-confidence agreement, in which the NDP promised not to vote against the Liberals in strategic votes, and in return the NDP would see certain policy goals move ahead.
That agreement came to a sudden end in September, when NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh tore up the deal, spurring several non-confidence votes over the following months, each of which were ultimately defeated.
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced Jan. 6 that he would resign, and Carney, who was elected Liberal leader March 9, became prime minister and called an election for April 28.
All of this happened against a backdrop of economic and political uncertainty, with newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump imposing a number of chaotic tariff policies against all of his country’s trading partners — including Canada — and musing about Canada becoming the 51st state.
Nunavut was one of the few ridings retained by the NDP in Monday’s federal election. The party’s caucus dropped from 24 to seven seats, which is below the threshold for official party status in the House of Commons.
Singh lost his seat in the Burnaby Central riding in British Columbia and will step down once an interim leader is named.
Nunavut MP Lori Idlout, in an April 29 interview, said she is not considering a leadership run but plans a more “aggressive” and “pointed” approach in Parliament.
Key dates are fast approaching: Carney’s cabinet will be sworn in the week of May 12, Parliament resumes May 26, and King Charles III will deliver the throne speech on May 27 during his royal visit.
Carney also confirmed a meeting with Trump on May 6 in Washington to discuss trade and security.
Unfortunate, but Nunavut seems effectively shut out of the decision making process, at least at the formal level of parliament.
That said, I’m sure our new PM will find appropriate ways to communicate with Nunavummuit and include them in the decision making process when it comes to policy that affects them.
Lori, for her part, has devised a strategy of making noise, being aggressive, and as has been her habit in the past generally saying uniformed and foolish things.
Should be an interesting time, though sadly, not an optimal one…
I’ve always been cynical about having to get a liquor permit to bring up a bottle of glenfiddich, or some bailey’s from the South. A permit to move something within my own country? I wonder what supposedly tearing down trade barriers will actually mean.
It is much the same in Nunavik. SAQ products need a permit to enter the region thru the online ordering service. A minimal allowable amount can and should to be pemitted without the KRPF being involved. Their and our time can be better spent.
The environment is already shot.
Build the mines and pipe lines.
Alberta is right.
Environment is already shot. Why try?!
Old age benefit not sufficient. Everything thing is expensive like property tax heat hydro. Besides groceries are also expensive which is out of reach. At least old age benefit must be above 1000 and no tax on that amount.
Definitely not enough people in Nunavut and Nunavik know this, but you’re supposed to save some money for retirement during your 40+ years in the workforce, not rely solely on OAS and CPP.
If you saved and invested only $50 from every biweekly paycheque for 40 years, you would have somewhere around $350,000 by the time you retired. At 45 years, you’d have over half a million.
this is true for some… however remember that it even less then then 50 years ago there were some people still living in outpost camps. and less then 70 years ago people were still being born on the land in Igloos, and tents.