By Chidmma Okapa l May 9, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined former U.S. President Barack Obama and several international political figures in Toronto on Saturday for the 2026 Global Progress Action Summit, an event centered on economic security, democracy, trade, and global cooperation.
The summit, co-hosted by Canada 2020 and the Center for American Progress Action Fund, brought together ministers, policy experts, and political leaders from Canada, the United States, and Europe for discussions on growing global instability and economic challenges.
During his keynote address, Carney urged Canada and its allies to embrace innovation and rebuild public confidence in democratic institutions amid global uncertainty. The prime minister said countries must “take risks again” by investing in major infrastructure, affordable housing, artificial intelligence, and strategic industries to strengthen long-term economic resilience.
Carney also addressed Canada’s evolving relationship with the United States as tensions continue over tariffs affecting steel, aluminum, and automotive sectors. Despite recent disputes, he emphasized that Canada still maintains one of the world’s strongest trade partnerships with the U.S., noting that the vast majority of goods continue moving across the border tariff-free.
Former U.S. President Obama attended the summit as a featured speaker and participated in high-level discussions alongside Canadian cabinet ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
Joly, speaking during a panel discussion with former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, warned that political instability in the United States affects democracies worldwide. She stressed that global confidence in democratic institutions remains closely tied to political developments south of the border.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anand also highlighted Canada’s efforts to diversify trade relationships as governments respond to shifting geopolitical tensions and disruptions to the global trading system. She described trade diversification as essential for reducing economic risks during a period of global uncertainty.
The Toronto summit comes as Carney increasingly positions Canada as a leading “middle power” advocating for stronger international cooperation and a renewed rules-based global order. In recent months, the prime minister has repeatedly called for democratic nations to work more closely together amid rising geopolitical tensions and weakening global institutions.
The event also attracted significant international attention online, particularly because of Obama’s appearance alongside Carney at a time of heightened political divisions in the United States. Social media reactions from conservative commentators in the U.S. sparked heated debate surrounding Obama’s participation in the Toronto gathering, though no official diplomatic concerns were raised.