Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government will move more quickly on affordability and economic priorities after strengthening its position in Parliament, using a press briefing in Ottawa on April 15 to outline a more direct approach to governing.
Carney pointed to three main priorities, lowering costs for Canadians, accelerating housing construction, and advancing major projects.
“There’s a difference between real testimony, real substance… and showboating,” Carney said. “We’re going to have less of that. We’re going to have more substance.”
He suggested that previous delays in Parliament were partly due to political theatre and said a stronger mandate should allow legislation to move forward with more focus on policy.
A key short-term measure is a temporary federal fuel tax cut, which will run until Labour Day. The reduction is about 10 cents per litre on gasoline and will also apply to domestic aviation fuel. The government estimates the cost at about $2.4 billion.
Carney said the government chose a temporary approach instead of a full tax removal in order to balance other spending priorities such as health care and social programs.
“When you’re in government, you have to choose, you have to balance,” he said.
On the broader economy, Carney acknowledged global uncertainty linked to conflict in the Middle East and pressure on energy markets. However, he said Canada is not heading into a recession.
“The economy is growing again, creating jobs,” he said.
He added that recent forecasts from the International Monetary Fund show Canada expected to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the G7.
Carney said long-term investments in housing, infrastructure and energy are meant to support that growth and strengthen Canada’s economic independence.
He also defended proposed legislation that would expand lawful access for police, saying it is needed to address crimes such as auto theft and extortion, and rejected criticism that such measures are excessive.
The prime minister said his government will remain open to ideas from opposition parties and others, but stressed that decisions must be weighed against fiscal limits.
He offered few details on political strategy, saying the focus is on delivering results rather than future elections.
More details are expected in the upcoming spring economic statement, which will outline how the government plans to balance short-term relief with longer-term economic goals.