On the campaign platform, Kearney will invest in military and infrastructure while reducing spending.
In his relationship with his neighbors, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to cut taxes and strengthen defence spending, arguing that Canada must project economic strength and defend “sovereignty” from the United States.
Carney, who became prime minister after Justin Trudeau resigned on March 14, presented a campaign plan for the Liberal Party on Saturday before the April 28th parliamentary election.
The vote determines whether Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has secured a continuing obligation as prime minister, or whether rival conservatives led by Pierre Poilierbre will take power.
Carney said he is the perfect person to stand up to US President Donald Trump. President Donald Trump has opened up a rift in relations with traditional US allies, imposing heavy tariffs and even threatening Canada separately as the 51st state.
“President Trump is trying to destroy us so that America can own us. That’s never going to happen,” Carney said Saturday. “Canada is not America and it will never happen, but we need to do more to recognize it. We need a plan to address this new reality.”
“Too little investment”
Kearney’s plans include investing more in infrastructure and defense while reducing income taxes. He also envisions a Trade Diversification Fund to help exporters expand outside of the US market where tariffs are high.
“We’re in a huge crisis so we have to be able to do two things. One is to keep that wasteful spending down, but that’s what we’re going to do, but more than that, we need to be bold and pushing for investment in the economy and taking the amazing opportunities we have,” Carney said.
The plan will promote defence spending to exceed the NATO target of 2% of gross domestic product by 2030. This includes purchasing more submarines, drones and icebreakers. Canada will also invest in transatlantic security with its “like-minded” European partners, Carney said.
Poilievre also calls for increased defence spending, but proposes offsetting it with deep reductions in “vain” foreign aid.
Kearney aims to balance his budget within three years by reducing federal public services spending while protecting healthcare and pensions.
“The government is spending too much and Canada is investing too little,” he said.
