Investing in Skills for an Uncertain Future
Liberal party leader Mark Carney unveiled a major economic proposal on Tuesday, pledging up to $15,000 in retraining benefits for mid-career workers in key sectors of the Canadian economy. The announcement was made at the Nova Bus plant in St-Eustache, Quebec, where Carney spoke directly to the working Canadians he says are under threat from U.S. economic aggression.
“For months we have been facing unprecedented attacks from the United States,” Carney said. “President Trump is attacking Canadian workers, our businesses, and even our identity as a sovereign country.”
According to Carney, the proposed benefit would target sectors like manufacturing, health care, artificial intelligence, technology, and construction—industries that are facing the twin pressures of economic transformation and trade uncertainty.
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A Strategic Response to Trade Tensions with the U.S.
Carney Accuses Trump of Undermining Canada’s Economic Sovereignty
Carney’s comments come amidst ongoing tensions stemming from former President Donald Trump’s trade policies, which have disrupted long-standing economic norms and strained Canada-U.S. relations.
“Trump is trying to fundamentally restructure the international trading system,” Carney said. “In doing so, he is rupturing the global economy. That 80-year era of U.S.-led economic cooperation is over. There is no going back.”
In response, Carney said Canada must work with global partners to reshape the trade system on new, resilient terms—and that begins by investing in workers here at home.
Building on Past Promises to Train the Skilled Workforce of Tomorrow
Retraining for the Future and Retaining Talent at Home
The newly announced benefit builds on an earlier Liberal promise to cover up to $8,000 in apprenticeship training costs for workers in the skilled trades. Carney emphasized the importance of helping Canadians remain competitive and employed through periods of rapid economic change.
“This isn’t just about helping individuals,” he said. “It’s about strengthening our companies by retaining and upskilling our talent.”
The retraining program would be designed to help workers who have been directly impacted by tariffs and other economic shocks afford the education and certifications needed to transition into well-paying, in-demand careers.
Competing Visions: Investment vs. Austerity
A Fork in the Road for Canada’s Economic Future
Carney also used the opportunity to draw a stark contrast with his Conservative opponent, Pierre Poilievre.
“Our economy is going to go through some big changes,” he said. “We have two choices: cut our way through it, like Poilievre wants to do, or renew our economy by helping workers adapt.”
He pledged that a Liberal government would show “fiscal discipline” while maintaining support for essential services like dental care, pharmacare, and child care.
“We will spend less so Canadians can invest more,” Carney explained. “Others may cut support to families. We won’t.”
Carney Leads in Polls as Canada Enters Final Week of Election Campaign
Looking Ahead: Details to Come Before Advance Polls Close
A Promise of Transparency and Preparedness
When asked about the specifics of the program’s funding and rollout, Carney committed to releasing a fully costed plan before advance voting ends. Advance polling stations will be open from Friday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
He was also asked about his confidence going into the French-language debate, given his own admission of moderate fluency.
“I look forward to the debate,” Carney said, noting that he practices French daily and believes he is steadily improving. “It’s one of many ways I’m communicating with Canadians.”