Canada’s ‘values must be fought for’ in a moment of democratic decline, says Carney at cabinet retreat

Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to fight for Canadian values in the face of crumbling democracy around the world, in a sweeping address before gathering with his cabinet in Quebec City ahead of Parliament’s return.  

“There are long periods of history when these values can prosper unchallenged. Ours is not one of them,”  said Carney in prepared remarks ahead of what’s being called a cabinet planning forum.

He argued that “Canada must be a beacon — an example to a world at sea.”

“In a time of democratic decline, we can show how rights can be protected, and equal freedoms endure,” he said.

“In a time of rising walls and thickening borders, we can demonstrate how a country can be both open and secure, welcoming and strong, principled and powerful.” 

His address kicks off two days of meetings with his front benches. The cabinet will be holed up for two days behind the stone walls of the Citadelle, a storied military base and the Governor General’s secondary residence that looms over the Quebec capital. 

It was fortified in the 19th century in an effort to secure the city against a potential American attack, and in 1943 was the site of the Quebec Conference when Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt met secretly to plot a strategy for the Second World War.

Carney turned to some of that history in his address, charting the decisive battle at the Plains of Abraham when the British, French and First Nations collided.  

“The answer that emerged — slowly, imperfectly, not without struggle, but unmistakably— co-operation. Partnership. A shared future. That response was not inevitable. It was chosen,” said Carney. 

Echoing the Liberal platform promises, Carney laid out his priorities for the coming Parliamentary session including better economic co-operation with the provinces and territories, widening the net for international trade deals, reforming the criminal justice system, fostering artificial intelligence and making massive investments in defence. 

“Now we need to execute. Fairly. And Fast,” said Carney, a nod to critics who have argued he needs to back up grand, sweeping comment

Carney also promised to protect services like child care, dental care and pharmacare, and stand up for the vulnerable “whether they are a newcomer, a person with a disability or a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.”

“Our values must be fought for. That’s what we’re doing, and Canadians are up for it,” he said. 

Carney fresh off Davos speech

It’s the first time Carney and his ministry have huddled as one since the House of Commons rose for the holiday break in December, and it comes on the heels of the prime minister’s nine-day trip to China, Qatar and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 

Prime ministers historically gather with their cabinets ahead of a new session to set priorities, although this year’s tone is noticeably more stark.

His Thursday speech is the second time this week Carney has nodded to the changing scenario in the United States under U.S. President Donald Trump. His office said he also wrote large portions of his pre-cabinet speech. 

At Davos on Tuesday, Carney referred to “American hegemony” and said world powers are using economic integration as “weapons.”

In that closely watched speech, Carney said middle powers like Canada must work together or end up “on the menu” of great powers that are weaponizing economic integration.

The official agenda of the meetings said the cabinet will focus on the economy, affordability and security, and ministers and secretaries of state are expected to discuss progress on their mandates.