Ottawa: In his first press conference since winning Canada’s federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney laid out a carefully choreographed diplomatic and political agenda — beginning with a strategic royal invitation and culminating in a high-stakes visit to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump.
A Royal Signal of Sovereignty
Carney revealed that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit Canada later this month, with the monarch invited to open the 45th Canadian Parliament on 27 May. The gesture, while ceremonial, sends a powerful message of national identity amid provocative remarks by President Trump suggesting Canada could become the “51st US state.”
“This is a historic honour that matches the weight of our times,” said Carney. “The King’s visit clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country.”
The move also plays into Trump’s well-documented admiration for the British monarchy. In February, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reportedly used a message from the King to win goodwill during his own White House meeting. Carney appears to be following a similar playbook — turning diplomacy into symbolic leverage.
It would mark the first time a reigning monarch has opened Canada’s Parliament since Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1977. The act is usually carried out by the Governor General, currently Mary Simon.
Showdown with Trump on Tariffs and Sovereignty
Carney confirmed he will meet with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday — just over a week after his election win. With US-Canada relations strained by tariffs and Trump’s nationalist rhetoric, the meeting is expected to be tense but crucial.
“My government will fight to get the best deal for Canada,” Carney declared, saying discussions will cover both immediate tariff issues and the long-term bilateral relationship.
He framed the meeting as part of a broader strategy to reaffirm Canada’s role among “reliable” global trade partners, citing recent discussions with leaders in Europe and Asia.
Trump’s rocky relationship with former PM Justin Trudeau is well known, and Carney is hoping for a more productive dialogue. “I expect difficult but constructive conversations,” he said, emphasizing that Canada will not rush into any agreement that jeopardizes its economic or political interests.
Minority Mandate and a Call for Unity
Carney’s Liberal Party won 168 of 343 seats in the House of Commons — enough to form a minority government but not a majority. He used the press conference to extend olive branches both to political rivals and to the public, noting deep divides revealed during the campaign.
“It’s time to come together, put on our Team Canada sweaters, and win big,” Carney said, invoking a national spirit amid global uncertainty.
He acknowledged Canadians’ demands for action on cost-of-living pressures and community safety, signaling a willingness to cooperate across party lines. “As prime minister, I’ve heard these messages loud and clear, and I will act on them with focus and determination,” he added.
Olive Branch to Conservative Leader Poilievre
Carney also addressed the political fate of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who lost his Ottawa-area seat in the election. In a show of good faith, Carney said he would support a special election to allow Poilievre to re-enter Parliament if the Conservatives pursued that option.
“No games,” Carney said firmly.
Shortly after, a Conservative MP-elect in Alberta offered to resign his safe seat so Poilievre could run. Poilievre has confirmed his intention to contest that constituency, promising to hold the minority Liberal government to account.
Conclusion: A Diplomatic Tightrope
With his minority government just beginning, Prime Minister Mark Carney faces a formidable balancing act: reassuring allies, confronting trade threats from the US, unifying a politically divided country, and asserting Canada’s sovereignty — all within his first month in office. His strategic use of royal symbolism and political diplomacy suggests that Carney is not only prepared for the challenge but keenly aware of the global optics at play.
