TORONTO – If this may come across as a poor attempt to allude to Shakespearean dramas, hang on. As Italians say, “il buon Giorno si vede dal mattino”. Barely two complete days after results of an election, in a typically “ho-hum” Canadian political setting, a new[ly] minted protagonist made his entry on stage.
Prime Minister Mark Carney. Press conference number one: here is why we are here; here is the agenda, here are our goals. In case you missed it, we have a new government that will stand up to Trump, build a new economy, reduce cost of living and ensure our military security and sovereignty. I’m here to do things, not to be something – dulcet words after those to which the previous, disastrous leadership had accustomed the country.
This contingent will be working on real plans in the coming weeks with all levels of jurisdictions. A new theme, to replace the vacuous rhetoric of “devastation”, “we’ll fight for you” because everything is in “crisis mode”.
Co-incidentally, workers at GM Canada in Oshawa, had just finished their own press conference in reaction to the laying off 700 of their members, with more to come.
By the way… this “leadership” exuded much-needed “gravitas”. He will usher in his Cabinet on May 12, reconvene Parliament (the House of Commons) on May 26 and present a Speech from the Throne (SFT), a type of Corporate Vision Statement on May 27.
That FST will be read by his Majesty King Charles III. How timely! On May 6, PM Carney will fly to Washington to meet with President Trump, Mr. Chaos himself, the personification of all that is antagonist[ic] to Canada.
To disabuse everyone of any preconceived notions, he said it ever-so-bluntly: “the old relationship with the USA is over”. Reminded one of the Rolling Stones’ first big hit Because I used to love her, but it’s all over now. He affirmed it is time to strengthen relationships with other partners, remove federal barriers to inter-provincial trade (by July), assess (and keep) what works, change or discard what does not, cap and gradually drop government spending,
In a calm, no nonsense, confident manner he invited all to work in tandem with his plan and share in its execution and benefits, or stand aside and abide by the consequences.
Since it was still morning when the conference ended, I opened the window to look outside, and by gosh…
