Brampton city council has unanimously agreed to formally congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney following what councillors described as a landmark speech delivered last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Council members voted to send an official letter of support and congratulations after expressing admiration for the prime minister’s address to global political and business leaders. Carney’s remarks, delivered on January 20, earned a standing ovation and struck a strong tone on the shifting global order and Canada’s role within it.
In his speech, Carney warned that the long-standing international, rules-based framework relied upon by western democracies has fractured and is unlikely to return in its previous form. Without naming specific countries, he spoke of a new geopolitical reality in which dominant powers operate without traditional constraints, calling it the end of a “pleasant fiction” and the beginning of a more challenging era.
At the same time, Carney emphasized that countries like Canada are far from powerless. He argued that so-called middle powers have the ability—and responsibility—to help shape a new global order grounded in shared values such as human rights, sustainable development, sovereignty, solidarity, and respect for territorial integrity. He cautioned that nations not actively engaged in shaping this order risk being sidelined, remarking that “if you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.”
Ward 9 and 10 Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor brought forward the motion at council, calling the address a moment of pride for Canadians and praising Carney for stepping confidently onto the world stage at a critical point in history. Councillors echoed those sentiments, describing the speech as powerful, timely, and widely applauded internationally.
The address came against the backdrop of rising global trade tensions and ongoing tariff disputes involving Canada. Brampton, a major logistics and manufacturing hub, has felt the impact particularly sharply. The city has already seen significant economic consequences, including the relocation of planned vehicle assembly away from its local auto plant—affecting thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Carney’s speech also followed heightened geopolitical rhetoric from the United States, including renewed trade threats and controversial remarks about Canada’s sovereignty. Councillors noted that the prime minister’s focus on national resilience, economic strength, and sovereignty resonated strongly with Brampton residents facing uncertainty tied to global trade decisions.
Council members also pointed to Carney’s efforts to expand Canada’s trade relationships, noting that his government has pursued multiple international agreements in a short period of time to diversify economic partnerships and reduce reliance on any single market.
Despite criticism from opposition parties and provincial leaders over a recent trade agreement with China, councillors acknowledged that Carney’s broader message at Davos highlighted Canada’s determination to remain engaged, independent, and influential on the global stage.
In voting to send the letter, Brampton council signaled strong local support for the prime minister’s leadership and vision, praising his willingness to speak candidly about global challenges while asserting Canada’s place in shaping the future international order.