Dalena Reporters l December 25, 2025
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has delivered a year‑end assessment of his government’s progress and outlined priorities as Canada looks toward 2026, stressing continued economic growth, diversifying trade relationships, and strengthening international partnerships. In an extended interview with Global News, Carney said Canada is in a stronger position now than it was nine months ago when he first took office, but acknowledged significant work remains to address affordability issues and build momentum on key policy goals.
Carney emphasized that the “core” of his government’s agenda is to maintain economic growth and reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States, particularly in the face of ongoing trade tensions and tariffs imposed by Washington. He noted uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Canada‑U.S.‑Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review set for 2026 and said Ottawa is pursuing broader international trade and defence agreements to expand economic opportunities.
On national security, Carney highlighted increased military spending and initiatives to reinforce Canada’s defence presence, including efforts to strengthen sovereignty in the Arctic amid what he described as heightened geopolitical threats not seen since the War of 1812. He reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting global stability, including involvement in efforts to uphold Ukraine’s territorial integrity alongside international partners.
Looking forward, Carney expressed confidence that ongoing legislative priorities such as border security reforms, hate crimes legislation, and sentencing reforms could see progress in the coming year. He also defended his government’s approach to international negotiations, saying Canada is focused on shaping deals that serve national interests without rushing into harmful agreements.
Carney’s year‑end reflections underscore his government’s dual focus on economic resilience and robust foreign policy as Canada prepares for the challenges and opportunities of 2026.