Toronto, April 20, 2026: PM Mark Carney’s video to Canadians is creating a great deal of concern among Canadian businesses. To further Carney’s theme of moving away from the US in trading relations, he seems to have implied a much greater plan to divorce Canada from its largest trading partner. This promises to be an enormous mistake, motivated by political instincts to benefit Liberals at the expense of the welfare of the Canadian economy and the standard of living of average Canadians. CCMBC President Catherine Swift noted “This is a gigantic gamble with Canada’s economic future and something Canadians have never voted for.”

In fact, Carney was initially voted in with a minority government presenting himself as the best person to negotiate a beneficial trade agreement for Canada with the US. Having failed to do so, Carney now appears to favour no trade deal with the US for purely partisan reasons. “The USMCA/CUSMA trade deal has been enormously beneficial to Canada”, Swift stated. “To suggest this can lapse without a devastating and long-term impact on Canada is dishonest and naïve. No decision of this magnitude should ever be based on the statements of any particular US President whose term in office will be relatively short-lived.”

Canada is already suffering the loss of jobs and businesses because of uncertainty surrounding the future of Canada-US trade. Carney’s speech worsened this uncertainty. Swift commented “Many past Liberal governments have attempted to move away from the US in terms of trade and all prior attempts failed miserably. This one will too as geography, common language and similar cultures, and highly integrated supply chains and business relationships will always prevail over one Canadian government’s political wishes to alter something that has worked well on balance for centuries.”

For someone who frequently criticizes the US and its administration, Carney has an odd fondness for US practices. For instance, his video bore many similarities to a US President’s State of the Union address. In the past, Carney has used photo-ops including “executive orders” to make policy announcements. Such things are a US government tool and meaningless in Canada. He also used American social media, not Canadian media, to carry his address. Strange choices for someone trying to fashion himself as Captain Canada.

Many Canadian firms are establishing business premises in the US or seriously considering it. This was going on well before Trump’s second term and was a result of an uncompetitive business climate in Canada. Talented young people are also leaving Canada for greener pastures south of the border. This exodus needs to end. Businesses and individuals that leave rarely return. Federal and provincial governments should be looking at their own destructive policies that have caused our economy to decline in the past decade instead of fighting with our largest trading partner, however politically entertaining that might be.

This is also a pivotal time in Ottawa’s relationships with the provinces, with separatist sentiments growing. A devastating blow to provincial economic fortunes such as not renewing the Canada-US trade deal will worsen these tensions. Swift concluded “Putting short-term partisan politics ahead of the long-term well-being of Canadians is irresponsible and a betrayal of all Canadians. It must end as soon as possible.”

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The CCMBC was formed in 2016 with a mandate to advocate for proactive and innovative policies that are conducive to manufacturing and business retention and safeguarding job growth in Canada. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Catherine Swift at swifty4488@outlook.com or 416 816 7248.