Mark Carney is celebrated abroad – while consolidating power at home | Shiri Pasternak
Mark Carney has won international praise for his Davos speech on shifting global power, but the article argues that his domestic policies conflict with that message. It says his government is centralising decision-making to advance its economic agenda, while weakening protections for the environment, Indigenous peoples and workers.
The article focuses on Bill C-39, introduced on 21 September, which would let federal ministers designate “regions of national interest” and speed up major projects. It says the bill shifts project approvals towards regulators responsible for promoting the relevant sectors, removes cabinet oversight for most pipelines, allows legal strikes to be ended and limits communities’ time to assess development impacts. The author links the changes to industry lobbying and argues they could reduce parliamentary, local and Indigenous influence.
In short
- Carney is praised abroad for his Davos speech.
- Bill C-39 would speed up major infrastructure projects.
- The author says the bill weakens environmental, Indigenous and labour protections.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that faster, more coordinated approvals are needed to build major projects, attract investment and strengthen Canada’s economic position amid shifting global power. Giving ministers authority to designate projects of national interest may help resolve fragmented decision-making, while shorter review periods and clearer regulatory roles could reduce delays without eliminating environmental or legal safeguards.
The case against
Critics could argue that concentrating approval powers and limiting review time weakens democratic oversight and makes it harder for communities and Indigenous peoples to assess projects that affect them. They may also see reduced cabinet scrutiny, regulators’ sector-promotion roles and limits on strikes as favouring economic speed and industry interests over environmental protection, workers’ rights and meaningful public participation.
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