Ottawa, ON – As Canada Day passes, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has marked a series of early legislative milestones following a series of ambitious promises made upon taking office just over two months ago. Carney pledged swift and measurable progress on longstanding national challenges, and the government’s record so far shows significant headway.
Among the first initiatives delivered was the removal of federal internal trade barriers. In a historic move, Parliament passed Bill C-5 on June 27, eliminating all federal-level restrictions on interprovincial trade and labour mobility. The legislation, paired with early provincial cooperation, has been described by economists as a strong step toward modernizing Canada’s internal market.
Carney also promised immediate tax relief, including the repeal of the federal carbon tax, a reduction in the lowest income tax bracket, and a GST exemption for first-time homebuyers purchasing homes under $1 million. The carbon tax was officially repealed as of April 1, and the remaining tax measures were introduced through a ways and means motion on June 5. They are currently progressing through Parliament as part of Bill C-4, which has passed second reading.
In the area of foreign affairs and defence, Canada signed a new strategic partnership with the European Union on June 23, enabling access to the SAFE loan program for military procurement and laying the foundation for future defence collaboration. While not full participation in the ReArm Europe initiative, the agreement reflects significant progress in aligning Canada’s military modernization goals with international allies.
On regulatory reform, the Prime Minister had announced that all federal departments would undergo reviews to reduce red tape within 60 days. As of July 1, the Treasury Board confirmed that planning for these reviews is underway, though the process has yet to formally launch. The government has not clarified the exact timeline for implementation.
Looking ahead, several major pieces of legislation remain under consideration, including the Strong Borders Act (Bill C-2), the “Lost Canadians” citizenship reform (Bill C-3), and the Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act (Bill C-8). Additionally, Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to initiate formal bilateral trade negotiations by mid-July.
In his first two months, Prime Minister Carney has demonstrated a clear commitment to results-driven governance and rapid delivery on key platform priorities. While several policy goals remain in progress, early signs point to a government actively pursuing its mandate with focus and urgency.