Wednesday January 21, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC
News analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s commentary on macroeconomic shifts in the global economy and his encouragement to fellow ‘middle powers’ to collaborate on economic resilience has been generating commentary from political leaders.
BC Premier:
BC NDP Premier David Eby today during a media availability said that he listened to Carney’s speech as delivered at the World Economic Forum “with relief and pride”.
- Relief has to do with the stated effort of Canada to find like-minded countries to work with on economic growth and trade.
- Pride has to do with how Canada’s economic opportunities are recognized in other countries which Eby himself has recently seen and heard on his trade missions to India and before that in Malaysia.
“Things are moving very quickly at at global scale,” said Eby today.
BC’s premier says the prime minister is on a course for the country that Eby supports wholeheartedly.
Eby looks forward to discussing Canada’s economy and trade directions with the prime minister and other premiers in Ottawa next week. That meeting is set for Tuesday January 27.
BC’s work in India is supported by the prime minister, noted Eby, adding that he consider’s Carney’s work in China last week to be ‘”progress”.
BC’s Forests Minister Ravi Parmar was also in China last week in alignment with Carney’s trade mission that included discussion of more home-building in China using BC softwood lumber.
Federal NDP leader:
NDP Leader Don Davies today said in a statement that the prime minister “spoke well in Davos about the changing world order and Canada’s need to take principled and effective action in response to that new reality”.
Carney’s message is important and timely, according to Davies, who says that “the global community must hear from all nations who believe in international order and respect for sovereignty”.
“New Democrats agree with this direction. Indeed, it is overdue,” says Davies.
“We’ve been calling for the Canadian government to take a stronger, values-based approach generally, and to US President Donald Trump in particular, since last May,” says Davies.
The new Liberal government got rolling in May 2025, following the April 28 election and seeing Mark Carney become the new Liberal prime minister.
Davies says the Liberals have failed to be consistent about taking a strong values-based approach. Davies says that despite Mr. Carney’s claim that we need to pivot away from the Trump administration, Mr. Carney has:
- entered into discussions with the US government’s “Golden Dome” defence plan;
- offered to move on the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would deepen our dependence on the US; and
- bowed to US pressure and backed down on a Canadian tax on US tech giants.
“In addition, timid responses to breaches of international law from Gaza to Venezuela undermine Canada`s message that the rule of law must be adhered to by the strong as well as the weak,” says Davies. Though it could be that yesterday’s speech by Carney marks the start of a new phase of adhering to a stronger values-based position.
“The reality is that the world is in a precarious state because of decades of neo-liberal policies and the lack of will to name crimes of aggression no matter who commits them. Domestically, Canada is in a more vulnerable position today because of decades of policies put in place by both Liberal and Conservative governments,” says Davies.
Upcoming parliamentary session:
Carney will hold a planning session with his cabinet tomorrow and Friday (January 22 and 23) in Quebec City to discuss the economy, affordability and security.
The House of Commons 2026 winter/spring session starts on Monday January 26.
Carney hinted last month that he may yet achieve a Liberal majority in the House of Commons for this session of the 45th Parliament. The Liberals are presently two seats short of a majority.
“New Democrats will go into the upcoming session proposing positive ideas and principled policies to strengthen Canada’s self-reliance, defend our sovereignty, diversify our trade relations, stand up for peace, respect international norms, and build a fairer and more secure world,” says Davies.
- On Tuesday January 27, Carney will meet with Canada’s Premiers in Ottawa.
- The Conservatives will undertake a leadership review in Calgary January 29 to 31.
- The NDP Leadership decision will take place March 27 to 29 in Winnipeg.
===== RELATED:
- Liberal cabinet planning meeting January 22 & 23 on economy, affordability and security (January 21, 2026)
- Carney’s speech to economic elite makes global headlines (January 21, 2026)
- Liberals aim for majority in 2026 House of Commons (December 21, 2026)
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