Prime Minister Mark Carney poked fun at U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, joking that the American leader seems “afraid” to make a friendly wager over the World Series as the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I think he’s afraid to make a bet. He doesn’t like to lose,” Carney laughed when asked by reporters about a potential cross-border wager during his visit to the Blue Jays’ practice at Rogers Centre. “He hasn’t returned my call yet on the bet — so I’m ready. We’re ready to make a bet with the U.S.”
Both Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford predicted that the Jays will capture the championship in six games, though neither plans to attend the series in person. Ford said he’ll be watching from his “man cave” instead of paying inflated ticket prices, warning that “ticket gougers” will face consequences.
Carney, who will be in Asia for the APEC summit, joked that he’ll also be cheering from a “man cave” overseas, calling it “the world’s worst-timed trip.”
The ticket frenzy surrounding the Blue Jays’ first World Series appearance in 32 years has reignited frustration over resale prices, with some tickets for Game 1 listed for more than $1,400 on Ticketmaster.
Ford’s government is now facing renewed criticism for repealing a 2019 law that capped resale prices at 50 per cent above face value. Opposition leaders Marit Stiles and John Fraser accused the premier of abandoning consumer protections, urging him to bring back legislation to control scalping.
Ticketmaster said it understands fans’ frustration but clarified that it “does not set or control ticket prices — and especially not the resale prices.”
Despite the ticket chaos, the excitement around the Jays’ return to the World Series is palpable — and even Canada’s prime minister is in on the fun, teasing his U.S. counterpart in a show of light-hearted sporting rivalry.