Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Canada: Stall Budget until Fall
MMark Carney, Canada’s new Prime Minister, has postponed the release of a full federal budget until fall 2025, which makes some Canadians feel he is stalling.
Canadian Politics
By Elke Porter | WBN News Canada | May 14, 2025
On January 6, 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that Governor General Mary Simon had granted a request to prorogue Parliament until March 24, 2025—a move that halted all legislative activity and left Canada’s government in a state of suspended animation for the last five months.
After Trudeau stepped down, Mark Carney got busy. He ran for leader of the Liberal Party and was elected over three other candidates. He won the Nepean riding and subsequently traveled to the UK to meet with former colleagues in finance. During the federal election campaign in April, Carney released a detailed Liberal platform outlining priorities such as economic management, defense spending, housing, immigration, and trade diversification in response to U.S. tariffs.
Then after winning the election and forming a minority government, Carney reiterated and expanded his plans. In his first post-election press conference, he announced plans to cut the operating budget and cap immigration levels. On May 13, he unveiled his new cabinet, emphasizing the government’s commitment to deliver its mandate with urgency and determination. However, then Carney suddenly decided to defer the federal budget until the fall. Wait, what?
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Cabinet is Chosen
The swearing-in ceremony took place on May 13, 2025. On that day, Carney announced a 28-member cabinet for his Liberal government, along with 10 secretaries of state, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The cabinet included a mix of new faces and returning ministers, such as Anita Anand as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chrystia Freeland as Minister of Transportation and Internal Trade. The overhaul reflected Carney's aim to balance fresh perspectives with experience, so he would be able to focus on economic priorities and U.S. trade relations.
But now Parliament will not return until May 26, 2025, the first sitting day of the 45th Parliament. Critics have noted that this leaves only a narrow four-week window before the traditional summer recess begins in late June, potentially delaying real legislative progress on the topic of economic priorities and U.S. Trade relations until the fall.
Five Things That Haven't Been Getting Done
Because of prorogation:
- Important bills are dead – Legislation like the Online Harms Act (C-63), AI and Privacy Reform (C-27), and Cybersecurity Legislation (C-26) must be reintroduced from scratch.
- No federal budget – Despite rising economic uncertainty, the government has failed to deliver a 2025 budget.
- Capital gains tax reform is in limbo – The proposed increase to the capital gains inclusion rate was never formally tabled as a bill.
- Fall Economic Statement left hanging – Key initiatives like open banking, anti-money laundering, and predatory lending reform are paused.
- Parliamentary oversight is on hold – All legislative committees have ceased to sit and lost the power to conduct business or provide scrutiny.
A Delayed Start, Then a Vacation?
Frustration is mounting over what many perceive to be government stalling. With only a few weeks of actual sitting time before summer, Canadians are questioning whether the new leader plans to govern—and when exactly he plans to start. The House of Commons will reconvene on May 26, but if it adjourns by late June, meaningful legislation may not happen until fall 2025.
Meanwhile, Canada is still without a budget, key reforms are on hold, and some positions, such as the Ambassador to Germany remains unfilled following the 2024 death of John Horgan. Charlotte MacLeod Spokesperson, Media Relations of Global Affairs, when questioned about this, responded with "Canada’s Ambassador to Germany will be appointed in due course." No other explanation or statements given.
Carney’s Canada: A nation still waiting for something to happen. From the moment Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, Canadians have been in a holding pattern. We waited through the Winter and Spring for Parliament to resume. We waited to learn who would lead the Liberal Party. Then we waited again for the results of a spring election.
Now, after waiting for the cabinet reveal, the budget announcement, and clarity on leadership direction, we remain in limbo. Despite unveiling a detailed plan during the campaign, progress has been slow, with major initiatives stalled and the budget deferred until fall. Canadians are growing restless, wondering when the country will shift from pause to progress and begin turning promises into results.
#Canadian Politics #Parliament Paused #Mark Carney #Federal Budget #Canada News #Summer Recess #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter
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