Prime Minister Mark Carney is convening with his cabinet to outline the government’s autumn agenda as he gears up to confront Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for the first time in the House of Commons amidst an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
Carney’s discussions in the Greater Toronto Area over two days will kick off on Wednesday, with a focus on assisting industries impacted by Trump’s tariffs, promoting affordable housing, expediting major infrastructure initiatives, increasing defense spending, and addressing crime challenges.
According to David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, there is a noticeable shift in public attention away from U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting Carney’s administration to address other pressing issues faced by Canadians.
Cost of living, healthcare, crime, immigration, and the trade war are key concerns for Canadians. Poilievre, who campaigned on addressing the cost of living, is scheduled to hold a news conference in the Greater Toronto Area on immigration matters.
Returning to Parliament this month after securing a Conservative stronghold seat in Alberta, Poilievre has criticized Carney for making concessions to Trump without tangible gains, such as withdrawing some retaliatory tariffs to facilitate trade negotiations.
A confidential MP mentioned the need for the cabinet to discuss communication strategies to avoid pitfalls experienced during the Trudeau era, where top-down messaging was perceived as elitist and arrogant by the public.
Another Liberal MP expressed frustration among caucus members regarding their limited influence, citing instances where decisions made by Carney’s office were only discovered through media reports.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that pollster Jean-Marc Léger will provide insights on polling data and the overall national sentiment to the cabinet.
Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu emphasized the government’s commitment to the Build Canada Strong agenda, highlighting the appointment of Dawn Farrell to lead a new office expediting significant Canadian infrastructure projects.
The Liberal government is urged by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs to address the rising antisemitism in the country by enhancing community security funding and prohibiting the glorification of terrorism.
Carney’s discussions with the cabinet coincide with ongoing budget preparations that are anticipated to involve significant financial constraints. The format of these talks is expected to differ from the previous administration, with the meeting now termed a “cabinet planning forum” instead of a “cabinet retreat.”
The forum is designed as a series of structured working sessions, with designated ministers and panelists assigned to address journalists at a designated microphone, rather than the informal approach of multiple ministers engaging with reporters on camera.