Quick quotes: What people are saying about Carney’s speech

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered an attention-getting speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Here are some samples of the reaction in Canada and abroad:

“Elections are for later. Vote Conservative, vote Liberal — that choice will come. Put down your partisan swords today and take a moment and listen to this speech and what is being framed. These times are not like any other.”

— James Moore, former Conservative industry minister

“Prime Minister Carney’s speech at Davos is sending a message of Canada’s determination to the world. He says that there is no going along to get along. It is time to stand up. Canada is united at this time in the face of staggering levels of threat.”

— Charlie Angus, former Ontario NDP MP

“I watched the speech, in fact I watched it a couple of times, and there were some very powerful messages in there, but it’s all premised on there being like-minded middle-power countries … who will forgo relationships and suffer the wrath of (U.S. President Donald) Trump and come to our side.”

— Peter MacKay, former Conservative foreign affairs minister

“It was a deep analysis of the change in the world order and the new balance that we’re looking at. It was very realistic. It talked about values-based realism as a driver of Canadian foreign policy. All in all, I think one of the best speeches that we’ve heard here in Davos this week so far.”

— Finnish President Alexander Stubb

“Mark Carney delivered a speech worth watching. But a good speech is not foreign policy. The Prime Minister now needs to follow his words with action.”

— Heather McPherson, Alberta NDP MP and leadership candidate

“Prime Minister Carney’s speech must not be lauded as a victory in and of itself. Now he must do something much more difficult: deliver concrete, practical details on how Canada’s ruling political class will summon the necessary resolve, resources, and urgency to break through a decade of inertia and complacency.”

— Michelle Rempel Garner, Alberta Conservative MP

“To have Canada come out and say that, it was lyrical, it was philosophical. And I think you saw the reaction in people wanting somebody in power to stop gaslighting them and to finally say and give words to what we are all seeing with our own eyes.”

— Lauren Dobson-Hughes, LDH Consulting principal

“This is the best speech by a world leader that I have read in a very long time. More later, but for now, just read what (Mark Carney) has to say. Rhetorically, at least, he has met the geopolitical moment.”

— Michael Kovrig, former Canadian diplomat, detainee, analyst with The International Crisis Group

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2026.

The Canadian Press