Carney praises Canadians' unity as July 1 celebrations continue

02-Jul-2025

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Photo taken from video

In his first Canada Day address as prime minister, Mark Carney emphasized unity in a "changing" world. 

"One hundred and 58 years ago, a few provinces bet on the idea that they'd be stronger together than they ever could be apart. They were right, and so they became a new federation that's now grown into our strong, bilingual, multicultural and ambitious country," Carney said in his video address. 

That unity includes writing the country's "next chapter" together "in true partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis." 

Speaking at a Canada Day event in Ottawa, the prime minister took a moment to acknowledge some recent challenges.

"We find ourselves in a situation where our economy has been attacked by a trade war we didn't start ... in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist."

In an interview with CBC's Catherine Cullen, Carney said "we'll see" if Canada and the U.S. can reach a trade deal by July 21, a previously agreed-upon deadline set by the two countries. 

Carney noted in his address that Canadians have been uniting "in a more divided and dangerous world," pointing to his one-Canadian economy plan as a way to push back against instability. 

"This is the greatest nation on Earth. Our destiny is to make it greater still — not by what we say, but by what we do. Happy Canada Day."