From Free Trade to Fortress Canada?

The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Canada, under a clear blue sky. The Peace Tower rises at the center, symbolizing Canada’s federal government and national decision-making.

Prime Minister Mark Carney calls it a rupture, not a transition. With a C$5 billion Strategic Response Fund, a “Buy Canadian” procurement push, and a pause on the EV mandate, Canada is stepping away from free-trade assumptions and embracing mercantilist tools. The goal: cushion industries, protect jobs, and position Canadians ahead of a seismic global shift in how trade works.