Prime Minister Mark Carney’s fall travel schedule will see him criss-cross the globe. According to the Canadian Press, he has planned stops in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN summit, South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, and South Africa for the G20 summit.
Carney’s international travel schedule comes as the federal government prepares to table the 2025 Budget on Nov. 4, as well as news that Canada is set to launch formal consultations on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.
The stakes are high. With a Canada-U.S. economic and security pact effectively off the table, Canada must look to strengthen trade and defence ties with other allies. Signalling to global partners that Canada is open for business is a necessary first step, particularly as U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper continue to strain the Canadian economy and put jobs and communities at risk.
To effectively parlay this message, Carney must pair his international outreach with tangible results that have a clear benefit to Canada, all while steering clear of being drawn into global crossfires. The first test comes at the opening stop on his itinerary, where Canada is expected to recognize Palestinian statehood at the U.N. General Assembly. The anticipated vote will break with 75-years of foreign policy tradition, and while Canada will be at the table with some European allies, others–including the United States and Japan–will oppose the move, raising the likelihood of sharp condemnation from Washington at a critical moment in trade negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Liberal government must also contend with the reality that Canadians are entering the fall focused squarely on pocketbook issues and affordability. While Carney seeks to secure Canada’s long-term economic prospects abroad, the immediate challenge of the cost-of-living crisis looms large and is made all the more acute now that U.S. President Donald Trump and his threats are cementing themselves as a known commodity.
With Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre back in Parliament and already pressing forward with his agenda on crime, affordability and housing, the Opposition has a clear opening to frame the narrative on its terms and start building the case that the Liberal government is moving too slowly on fulfilling its mandate commitments.
While the federal budget is still several weeks away from being tabled, it’s unlikely that there will be any major new announcements to ease financial pressures on Canadians. Big-ticket items like the middle class tax break that was promised during the election were already unveiled last spring, along with new housing initiatives announced last week.
Therein lies the challenge for the Carney government: balancing the pursuit of long-term trade and economic security abroad with the need to deliver at home for Canadians whose priorities remain firmly rooted in the cost-of-living crisis. Even the most seasoned politician would acknowledge this is no easy task–especially for a government in its fourth term, now navigating under new leadership.
Josie Sabatino is a Senior Consultant at Summa Strategies, focused on providing strategic insight and helping clients meet their objectives in an ever changing and complex political and regulatory environment. Prior to joining Summa, Josie spent nearly a decade in political communications and most recently served as the Director of Communications to the Hon. Erin O’Toole, former Leader of the Official Opposition.
