Finance Minister Mark Carney appears ready to flex his political muscle as Liberal whispers of a 2025 election intensify. Sources within the Prime Minister’s Office confirm Carney will hold back-to-back virtual meetings with cabinet ministers and provincial premiers starting next week – a coordinated effort many Ottawa insiders view as groundwork for his expected leadership ambitions.
The virtual huddles, scheduled over three days beginning Tuesday, represent Carney’s most aggressive political maneuver since entering politics last year. After securing his Ottawa Centre riding in a by-election that surprised nobody, the former Bank of Canada governor has kept an unusually low profile for someone of his stature.
“Carney didn’t leave his international post at the UN climate finance initiative to sit quietly on the backbenches,” says Megan Brooks, political strategist and former Liberal advisor. “These virtual meetings accomplish two things – they establish him as a power broker across provincial lines and test his ability to build consensus before the real campaign begins.”
Cabinet ministers received calendar invites last Friday for what was described as “cross-ministerial fiscal planning sessions.” Provincial leaders’ offices confirmed similar invitations framed as “federal-provincial economic alignment discussions” – neutral language that nonetheless raised eyebrows among opposition critics.
Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre wasted no time questioning the meetings’ purpose. “Canadians are struggling with record-high mortgage payments while Mark Carney plays political chess using taxpayer resources,” Poilievre told reporters outside the House. “If these are campaign planning sessions, he should at least be honest about it.”
The PMO maintains these meetings focus on standard intergovernmental coordination ahead of fall fiscal announcements. “Minister Carney regularly consults with provinces on economic priorities,” said communications director Samantha Torres. “This is consistent with how previous finance ministers have approached federal-provincial relations.”
Yet the timing and structure appear anything but routine. Unlike traditional consultations that occur through established federal-provincial committees, these direct minister-to-premier conversations bypass normal channels. Three provincial chiefs of staff, speaking on background, confirmed this approach represents a departure from typical protocol.
For Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the invitation presents a delicate balance. “We’ll engage constructively,” her spokesperson Martin Weaver said. “But Albertans expect us to hold Ottawa accountable on resource development. This conversation needs to be about more than just Ottawa’s pre-election promises.”
Recent polling suggests why Carney might be eager to establish himself with provincial leaders. A Leger survey last month showed 64 percent of Canadians believe better federal-provincial cooperation would improve everyday issues like healthcare wait times and housing affordability – exactly the practical concerns that could define the coming election.
The virtual format itself reveals something of Carney’s approach. Unlike his predecessor Chrystia Freeland, who frequently appeared in provincial capitals for announcements, Carney’s digital-first strategy allows him to cover more ground while maintaining tight message control.
Carney’s office declined specific comment on meeting agendas but confirmed economic resilience and inflation management would feature prominently. “Canadians expect their governments to work together on kitchen table issues,” said press secretary James Richardson. “These discussions will focus on delivering results, not politics.”
But politics inevitably shadows these conversations. With Prime Minister Trudeau’s approval ratings underwater and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre gaining momentum, Liberal strategists see Carney as their potential ballot box savior. His economic credentials and relative distance from pandemic-era controversies position him as a fresh face with establishment credibility.
What remains unclear is how Carney will navigate competing provincial demands. Quebec Premier François Legault’s office confirmed his participation but emphasized their focus would be on securing increased health transfers – a perennial tension point that has derailed previous federal-provincial talks.
BC’s newly elected Premier, David Eby, faces his own pressures. “Housing affordability is crisis number one, two, and three in our province,” said housing minister Ravi Kahlon. “Any conversation with Minister Carney that doesn’t address this meaningfully won’t satisfy British Columbians.”
The meetings follow Carney’s recent pivot to more populist economic messaging. In a speech to the Canadian Club last month, he emphasized “kitchen table economics” and promised targeted inflation relief – language political watchers interpret as test-driving campaign themes.
Budget estimates reveal Carney’s office has increased communications staffing by 30 percent since April, another sign of preparation for a higher public profile. Former communications director for Prime Minister Harper, Andrew MacDougall, noted the significance: “You don’t beef up your comms team this substantially unless you’re planning something big.”
Whatever emerges from next week’s meetings, one thing seems certain: Mark Carney is done waiting in the wings. For a finance minister with obvious leadership aspirations, these provincial conversations represent more than routine governance – they’re a dress rehearsal for the national spotlight that surely awaits.
