When Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks, Canadians are told to expect vision. Yet behind the polished words, the numbers don’t add up. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, Canada’s general government net debt stood at $597.4 billion, representing nearly 20% of GDP. Against this mountain of obligation, Carney now promises that five so-called “nation-building” projects will generate $60 billion for the economy.
As Christians, we are called to test the spirits and discern truth from illusion (1 John 4:1). The math alone raises questions: even if these projects deliver on every promise, the gap between $60 billion and nearly $600 billion remains staggering. And because ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies and Net Zero targets are inherently inflationary, we must also ask: What will that $60 billion even be worth when it arrives?
The Projects on Paper
Carney’s “first wave” of projects includes:
- Expansion of LNG production in Kitimat, B.C.
- A new nuclear project in Ontario
- Expansion of the Port of Montreal
- A copper mine in Saskatchewan
- An expanded gold and copper mine in B.C.
Together, these initiatives are projected to add tens of thousands of jobs and $60 billion in economic activity.
On the surface, this looks bold. Yet beneath the announcement lies a deeper issue: how will the federal government pay down the existing debt while simultaneously driving up the cost of living through regulatory burdens?
ESG, Net Zero, and Rising Costs
The ideology behind Net Zero is not simply about protecting the environment; it is about increasing the cost of production every single year. By design, the Liberal government intends to make it progressively more expensive to emit carbon, extract resources, or operate industries deemed “polluting.”
This means that the same $60 billion Carney touts will arrive in a regulatory environment deliberately engineered to shrink purchasing power. Inflation, higher compliance costs, and international trade restrictions under ESG frameworks will reduce the practical value of every dollar earned.
Christians must remember Proverbs 22:7: “The borrower is servant to the lender.” A growing debt load, paired with an intentional policy of inflation, ensures that Canadians remain servants—not free stewards of God’s blessings.
The Bigger Question
Carney speaks of “nation-building,” but what kind of nation is being built? One where debt grows unchecked? One where government policy makes it harder for families to provide for themselves? One where freedom is traded for dependency on state programs and subsidies?
Scripture tells us that true liberty is found in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17). Political leaders may promise prosperity, but if their plans hinge on ever-increasing debt and regulations that choke productivity, Canadians should not be deceived.
A Christian Response
The temptation in times of uncertainty is to trust in government promises. But Psalm 118:8 reminds us: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Canadians should take seriously the reality that no political program will solve the deeper issue of spiritual and economic bondage.
As the national debt rises and the cost of living grows heavier, the invitation of Christ becomes more urgent: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Mark Carney can announce projects and promise billions. Yet without repentance, accountability, and a return to godly stewardship, Canada’s debt will continue to rise, its money will lose value, and its people will grow more dependent on the state. The answer is not more government, but more of Christ.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today. Through Him, all things are possible—even freedom from the debts and burdens this world places on us.
