1 week Ago By Michele Jarvie
Licia Corbella’s recent column suggesting that Liberal Leader Mark Carney is more like Donald Trump than Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not only counterintuitive, it’s deeply misleading. The comparison relies on superficial parallels while ignoring the very real distinctions between political style, substance and democratic values. Canadians deserve better than false equivalencies, especially when assessing the leadership of public figures who may shape the future of our country.
Let’s start with the facts. Carney is a career technocrat who has served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England — roles that require independence, data-driven decision-making and apolitical judgment. He has spent much of his professional life working to stabilize financial systems, advance climate-conscious investing and promote economic resilience.
His positions on key issues are communicated clearly, often in peer-reviewed forums or global summits, not in Twitter tirades or campaign rallies laced with resentment. Carney has, in fact, been one of the more vocal Canadian critics of Donald Trump. When Trump suggested annexing Canada, Carney compared him to Voldemort.
When Trump slapped tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, Carney called it what it was — economic bullying — and advocated for a measured, reciprocal response. That isn’t “Trumpian bravado.” It’s standing up for national interest with reason and resolve.
Since when did defending Canada become a political liability? Corbella’s argument seems to hinge on the notion that Carney is “elitist” and “globalist,” buzzwords frequently used to frame educated or internationally respected leaders as somehow suspect. But dog-whistle rhetoric does a disservice to voters. Leadership isn’t defined by whether someone went to Harvard or served at the G7 — it’s defined by integrity, competence and a commitment to democratic principles.
Now let’s consider Poilievre. While it’s true that his policies don’t completely align with Trump’s — Poilievre has expressed support for abortion rights and public health care — his style of politics borrows heavily from Trump’s populist blueprint. He bypasses traditional media, fuels anti-institution sentiment, casts doubt on democratic institutions and fans the flames of division, often with slick social media videos designed to provoke rather than inform.
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