We’ve been predicting on this blog that Mark Carney will eventually step down as Prime Minister. The reason is simple: his value as a political and economic figure may be reaching its limit. If he fails to turn the Canadian economy around, his usefulness — both in politics and in the private sector — will diminish rapidly.
We’ve written before about the possibility of the Biden family becoming the first presidential family to face bankruptcy. While a personal financial collapse for Carney is unlikely, a failed term as Prime Minister could seriously tarnish his reputation in the corporate world, much as his tenure at the Bank of England ended without the turnaround many expected.
The Problem Isn’t Just Carney — It’s Canada’s Economic Mindset
Carney’s struggles aren’t entirely his fault. Canada, much like the UK, suffers from dangerously low levels of entrepreneurship. Without entrepreneurial thinking, leaders become susceptible to groupthink and ideological tunnel vision.
When a society leans heavily on collectivism — whether from leftist politics, atheism, or idolized social movements — it tends to depend on leaders to “do the thinking” for everyone. If those leaders are economically incompetent, the results are predictable: unsustainable policies dressed up as moral imperatives.
As a Christian, I recognize that faith cannot be forced — it’s a voluntary commitment. Likewise, trying to force ideological conformity, whether it’s economic collectivism or radical social policy, only breeds resentment. This is why systems built on compulsion, like socialism or ESG-driven governance, ultimately collapse. They may have moments of popularity, but in the long run, man-made laws based on force will fail.
The Canola Tariff Problem — and the China Factor
Right now, Carney faces the task of getting China to lift tariffs on Canadian canola. Many observers believe these tariffs are retaliation for Justin Trudeau’s tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs).
The real issue with Chinese EVs isn’t whether they can be built cheaply — it’s maintenance. China can produce attractive, complex EVs, but repairing them is another story. Parts, proprietary software, and trained technicians are often in short supply, especially for smaller Chinese brands. Many of these companies fail within a few years, leaving owners stranded with cars that can’t be serviced.
If Canada allowed Chinese EVs on the road, I suspect most would eventually be rejected by consumers once maintenance realities set in. EVs remain a niche market, and the more complex the vehicle, the more potential points of failure — from sensors to software glitches. Unlike traditional combustion engines, where most problems come from user neglect, EVs can be rendered inoperable by a single technical fault.
The shrinking secondary market for EVs means many end up dumped abroad, particularly in places like Africa — a continent already dealing with waste management issues from industrialized nations. And lithium battery disposal is an environmental problem Canada isn’t prepared to handle, especially from multiple unproven manufacturers.
Why Tariffing EVs Won’t Work — and Why Canola Matters More
I’m not a fan of EVs — including Teslas — because the long-term environmental and economic costs outweigh the short-term benefits. But banning or tariffing Chinese EVs isn’t the solution. They’re likely to fail in the Canadian market on their own.
Canola, however, is a proven export commodity facing growing global competition. Carney’s ideological approach to trade makes it unlikely he’ll pivot strategically. This leaves Canada in a weak bargaining position.
The Leverage Gap: Trump vs. Carney
Donald Trump uses tariffs as leverage. While I believe his approach is short-sighted, I understand his tactical intent — to create pressure and extract concessions. Carney, on the other hand, appears driven purely by ideology, with no real leverage in negotiations.
That’s dangerous in the private sector and fatal in politics. The “Al Gore era” of profiting from climate change narratives is fading, and without tangible economic wins, Carney could become politically irrelevant — just as Biden’s presidency has exposed the limits of political branding over performance.
Canada’s Structural Weaknesses and the Coming Austerity
Even if Canada lifted tariffs on Chinese EVs, it wouldn’t change the fact that we have no real leverage over China. Our ESG-driven cost structures make us uncompetitive, and large economies like China and the U.S. can outlast us in trade disputes. They can keep moving the goalposts, knowing Canada will eventually concede.
This is why we keep warning that Canada is headed toward forced austerity. Tax revenues are nowhere near enough to support our bloated public sector. In some parts of Quebec, private businesses can be shut down simply because their names sound “too English.” Policies like that actively discourage investment and choke economic growth.
Decline often happens slowly at first, then suddenly. Once a collapse begins, there’s no quick fix — and because austerity is painful, most people will resist it until it’s too late. Canadians would be wise to start preparing now.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.