Ottawa/IBNS-CMEDIA: Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday defended his government’s first-year record, saying Canada is becoming stronger, more independent and more resilient through investments in defence, housing, infrastructure and trade diversification.
Speaking at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, Carney said his government had passed 19 pieces of legislation in 14 weeks and remained focused on four priorities: protecting Canadians, strengthening the domestic economy, expanding international partnerships and improving affordability.
“We have the right plan and we’re on track, but there’s much more to do,” Carney said.
The prime minister highlighted a series of public safety measures enacted during the parliamentary session, including legislation targeting hate crimes, tougher bail provisions for violent offenders and stricter penalties for the distribution of non-consensual sexualized images online.
On defence, Carney said Canada had met NATO’s 2 per cent of GDP spending target for the first time since the Cold War and was on course to achieve the alliance’s new 3.5 per cent target by 2035.
He also pointed to plans for new submarines, icebreakers, aircraft and cyber-defence capabilities.
Carney said the government was accelerating housing construction through Build Canada Homes, which has committed to more than 11,000 affordable housing units through 14 partnerships.
He also cited measures including the removal of GST on homes worth up to C$1 million for first-time buyers and agreements with provinces to reduce development charges.
The prime minister said Canada had referred 23 major projects worth more than C$130 billion to the Major Projects Office, including ports, mines, liquefied natural gas facilities and transportation corridors aimed at boosting economic growth and exports.
Carney also emphasized efforts to diversify Canada’s trade relationships, saying the government had secured more than 20 economic and security partnerships across five continents and was pursuing new agreements with partners including India and ASEAN countries.
On immigration, he said asylum claims had fallen by one-third, temporary foreign worker arrivals by half and international student arrivals by 60 per cent as part of efforts to create a more sustainable immigration system.
The prime minister pointed to signs of economic progress, including rising business investment, growing non-U.S. exports, increased foreign direct investment and job creation outpacing that of the United States.
Carney said affordability remained a central focus of the government, highlighting tax cuts for middle-class Canadians, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax and investments in childcare, pharmacare and dental care.
Looking ahead, Carney pledged to accelerate investments in energy, transportation and artificial intelligence, deepen cooperation with provinces and territories, and strengthen Canada’s position as a reliable global supplier of critical minerals and clean energy.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
