Mark Carney and his cabinet are meeting for a second consecutive day in Quebec City as the government prepares for Parliament’s return on Monday, with a sharp focus on the economy, affordability and national security.
The two-day retreat brings together cabinet ministers and outside experts from government, finance, community services, advanced technology and global affairs to shape priorities for the coming parliamentary session.
Opening the retreat, Carney stressed that remaining true to Canada’s core values is essential to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. He also used the moment to push back against remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting that Canada does not exist because of the United States but thrives “because we are Canadian.”
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told reporters that affordability is the central theme of the discussions, calling it the government’s “key objective and mission.” He added that economic growth and job creation are also high on the agenda as ministers map out next steps ahead of Parliament’s return.