Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet are meeting in Quebec City for a two-day retreat focused on the economy, affordability and national security, as the government prepares for Parliament’s return and escalating global trade pressures. The gathering comes a day after Carney returned from a nine-day overseas trip aimed at attracting investment and strengthening international partnerships, and just days before the House of Commons resumes sittings.
Held at The Citadelle of Quebec, a historic military base and the governor general’s secondary residence, the retreat is expected to centre on domestic priorities such as interprovincial trade, major infrastructure projects and economic resilience. The backdrop is increasingly dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and remarks on Greenland, issues that experts say will weigh heavily on cabinet discussions.
Fen Osler Hampson, an international affairs professor at Carleton University, said ministers should be focused on preparing Canadians for what could be a turbulent year marked by trade negotiations conducted under the constant threat of new tariffs. The retreat follows Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum, where he urged middle powers to unite against economic coercion—a message praised by many international leaders but dismissed by Trump, who told the Davos audience that Canada should be “grateful” to the United States.
Cabinet is scheduled to hear from a range of experts spanning finance, technology, community services and global affairs, including Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand, Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley, and senior economists from Scotiabank, the Royal Bank of Canada and BlackRock. Discussions are also expected to touch on the upcoming review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, with experts urging clarity on how Canada plans to diversify trade and turn international partnerships into concrete economic gains.
The retreat takes place as Carney’s minority Liberal government faces pressure to deliver legislatively. Parliament resumes Monday with several budget measures still to be implemented and a slate of justice bills awaiting passage. Former diplomat Colin Robertson said the Quebec setting is politically significant, noting the province remains a key battleground the Liberals must hold as they navigate a fragile parliamentary balance and rising expectations for action at home.