Does Carney Want a Spring Election?

18 snips

Jan 27, 2026

Guest

Sam Konnert

Guest

Matina Stevis-Gridneff

Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times Canada Bureau Chief with deep international reporting experience, and Sam Konnert, Ottawa reporter covering Parliament and federal politics. They debate Mark Carney’s Davos posture and Trump’s tariff threats. They also unpack Parliament’s return, GST credit top-ups, and why a spring election might be on the horizon.

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INSIGHT

Davos Speech As Diplomatic Cover

Carney used Davos to both rally other middle powers and to strengthen Canada's negotiating position with the U.S.
Matina believes the speech aimed to catalyze collective action and give Canada diplomatic cover.

INSIGHT

Carney's Strategic Shift To Pragmatism

Matina Stevis-Gridneff says Mark Carney is evolving into a more urgent, pragmatic leader who travels extensively to sell Canada's interests.
She argues his Davos speech was practical, a calculated signal to middle powers and to Trump rather than mere virtue signaling.

ANECDOTE

Carney's Turbocharged Global Travel

Matina recounts traveling with Carney after he became prime minister, noting his intense overseas schedule compared with peers.
She calculated Carney spent 59 days abroad since taking office versus about 40 for Macron and Starmer.

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We’re back in the middle of another Donald Trump tariff tantrum—this time over Canada’s trade relationship with China. And yet, for a brief moment, it felt like Canada was riding high on the world stage, with Mark Carney holding court in Davos at the World Economic Forum. So… which version of Canada is real right now? The confident global player, or the country once again bracing for Trump’s mood swings?

Host Noor Azrieh puts that question to New York Times Canada Bureau Chief Matina Stevis-Gridneff, before turning to Ottawa reporter Sam Konnert to take us inside Parliament’s long-awaited return.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Matina Stevis-Gridneff

Background reading:

Trump Calls Out Mark Carney in Davos Speech and Says Canada ‘Should Be Grateful’ – The New York Times
Opinion | Trump Just Proved Mark Carney’s Point – The New York Times
5 things to know about Canada being disinvited from Trump's 'Board of Peace' – Toronto Star
Some Canadians will get GST credit top up to tackle grocery costs: Carney – Global News

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