Hello, welcome to Politics Insider. Let’s look at what happened today.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pitching a new alliance between Canada and the European Union as a means to protect their sovereignty from the control of the world’s great powers.
During a speech today to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Carney suggested that the two must work together to build independent data and compute power, payment systems, defence industries, and energy and critical mineral supplies.
Campbell Clark and Paul Waldie report that one day after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that he might consider the EU’s proposal to make Canada an associate member a hostile act, Carney is making it clear that he views a closer EU-Canada relationship as a way to shore up vulnerabilities.
His speech didn’t directly name the United States, though there was no doubt the country was at the top of Carney’s mind. Yet, the Prime Minister insisted that he is proposing to strengthen Canada’s and Europe’s sovereignty rather than build a rival.
In other news, an Ontario judge has denied a request from Tamara Lich, one of the key organizers of the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” protest in Ottawa, to travel abroad as part of her work with Rebel News.
Lich was found guilty last October of mischief for her role in the protest, which blockaded downtown Ottawa around Parliament Hill for nearly a month.
She was sentenced to 12 months of house arrest, including a curfew, as well as 100 hours of community service.
In July, Lich applied to the court for permission to travel internationally to facilitate her work with Rebel News.
That work would include an interview in Arizona for a documentary, a future book tour and speaking appearances, and a Caribbean cruise being hosted by Rebel that serves as an annual fundraiser for the organization.
Open this photo in gallery:
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
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What else is going on
B.C. Conservative Leader vows to stay as party faces turmoil: Kerry-Lynne Findlay says she will lead her fractured party into a potential snap election amid mounting speculation that Premier David Eby could soon send British Columbians to the polls.
Manitoba to stick with daylight time year-round: The province says 58 per cent of 72,000 residents surveyed said they want to stick with central daylight time.
Canada must invest in adding value to exports, EDC report says: In a report published today, Export Development Canada said the country needs to focus on turning commodities into higher-value products and linking companies into global supply chains to achieve significant economic growth.
Canada Child Benefit costs jumped sharply with post-COVID inflation, PBO says: The new report from parliamentary budget officer Annette Ryan suggests most of those benefitting from the increased payout were not among Canada’s lowest-income households.
Pierre Poilievre urges Conservatives to put national interest first: “Our duty is country before party, now and always. As Canadian patriots, we must reflect on the job we have as loyal Opposition in these challenging times,” the federal Conservative Leader said at a caucus retreat in Penticton, B.C.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day:
In the French city of Strasbourg, Carney delivered an address to the European Parliament. He held a news conference with Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, and then departed for Ottawa.
Carney’s office also announced today that he would be travelling to New York from Monday to Wednesday to participate in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, attending forums and meeting with other leaders.
Party Leaders: In Penticton, B.C. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre attended a caucus retreat. In Victoria, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May delivered a speech at a global-affairs seminar held by Pearson College, and later attended a reception at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation. No schedules were released for other party leaders.
Ministers on the Road:
In King City, north of Toronto, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced $5-million for Kinghaven Farms to adopt and customize automation and climate-control technologies at the company’s newly built greenhouse.
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu will be in Mumbai on Friday and Saturday for commitments that include meeting with Piyush Goyal, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, as well as with business representatives to discuss bilateral trade and investment ties.
His office says he will also be working to advance negotiations toward a Canada-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement. After Mumbai, Sidhu will travel to Manila for the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Ministers-Canada Consultation, running from Monday to Tuesday.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is in Britain today for meetings there and in Ireland. He participated in a business working dinner hosted by the City of London Corporation, and was scheduled to meet with his British counterpart, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey.
On Friday and Saturday in Dublin, Champagne was scheduled to represent the only non-European country participating in a meeting of European Union economic and financial affairs ministers and central bank governors.
Fox Carney to serve as Canada’s Ocean Envoy:
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson has announced that Diana Fox Carney, the Prime Minister’s wife, will serve as Canada’s Ocean Envoy and chair of the 12th Our Ocean Conference, scheduled for the spring of 2027 in Halifax.
Vietnamese President visiting:
Governor-General Louise Arbour, through her office, says Vietnamese President To Lam, will make a state visit to Canada next Thursday. Details of their activities are to be released soon.
New diplomatic appointment:
Deborah Gomes-Schultz is Canada’s new High Commissioner to Guyana, replacing Sébastien Sigouin.
Wanted: New Parliamentary Poet Laureate:
The Speakers of the House of Commons and the Senate have issued a call for applications to become Canada’s 12th Parliamentary Poet Laureate. The job calls for writing poetry at the request of Parliament and engaging with the Canadian public. The new laureate is expected to work primarily in French.
The post was created in 2001 to foster greater appreciation of poetry in Canada. Chimwemwe Undi of Manitoba is the most recent poet laureate. The deadline for applications is Nov. 10, 2026.
Quote of the Day
“Canadians are united that nobody is going to tell us what language we speak. No one is going to dictate our culture or with whom we can strike agreements internationally” – Mark Carney at a news conference today in Strasbourg, France, with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Question period
Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham attended the football match between Everton F.C. and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in Liverpool on Wednesday. Who won the match? Bonus question: Who is the captain of the winning team?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Perspectives
Carney’s Davos speech diagnosed the problem. His EU speech lays out the cure
Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that a proposed new alliance with Europe is not an attempt to create a new bloc to rival the great powers. Yet it was a bit of a stretch to assert, as he did in a press conference in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday, that it wasn’t a reaction to others.
— Campbell Clark, Chief Political Writer
In Strasbourg, a muted Carney reins in EU enthusiasm and gives no answers
Prime Minister Mark Carney walked to the European Parliament’s lectern Thursday morning in Strasbourg, France, fresh off a clear political victory. But his vision of closer European Union ties has also clashed with harsh reality.
— Aaron Burnett is a senior fellow specializing in Euro-Canadian relations with Canada’s Centre for Strategic Statecraft.
Closer ties with Canada will not save Europe from a ‘slow agony’ of decline
It is easy to understand why European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, desperate for growth but hamstrung by divisions within the 27-country bloc, would want to promote EU-Canada integration. It is less clear why Canada would seek to tie its future to an economic also-ran.
— Konrad Yakabuski, Columnist
Go deeper
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The answer to today’s question: Everton won 1-0 over the Wolves. Everton’s captain is James Tarkowski, appointed to the post in August.
