Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos drew much attention and praise. I've embedded it below. It lasts for about 15 minutes, followed by another 15 minutes or so of questions and answers. Well, that is a lot, so I have noted some excerpts below, in addition to the full text. I think it is good for Americans to have a bit of a glimpse into what leaders in the rest of the world are thinking and saying.
Direct Quotes from the Speech
Let me be direct: we are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition
We should not allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity, and rules will remain strong — if we choose to wield it together.
And it means reducing the leverage that enables coercion. Building a strong domestic economy should always be every government’s priority. Diversification internationally is not just economic prudence; it is the material foundation for honest foreign policy. Countries earn the right to principled stands by reducing their vulnerability to retaliation.
Canada has what the world wants. We are an energy superpower. We hold vast reserves of critical minerals. We have the most educated population in the world. Our pension funds are amongst the world’s largest and most sophisticated investors. We have capital, talent, and a government with the immense fiscal capacity to act decisively.
Canada is a pluralistic society that works. Our public square is loud, diverse, and free. Canadians remain committed to sustainability.
We are a stable, reliable partner—in a world that is anything but—a partner that builds and values relationships for the long term.
The old order is not coming back. We should not mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy.
But from the fracture, we can build something better, stronger, and more just.
Link to the text of whole speech. (supposedly, but I am not sure if the link will hold)
If you need more Mark Carney, here he is with his cat.
Bravo! Listening to him, calm and reasoned, string sentences together and making sense, well I wish. The one we have would not be able to understand what Carney is saying from the first sentence.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I've heard nothing but good things about his speech, and of course having a cat makes him a cut above.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, dear friend. And I love ❤️ the photo of him with his cat 🐈 I have a good feeling about him and seeing him with his cat just makes it even more special.
ReplyDeleteI read about the speech in the newspaper, might listen to it actually. It is refreshing and reassuring to hear a world leader speak competently and clearly. It makes a difference to the raving lunatic across the border from Canada.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the whole thing. Incredibly well spoken with ideas that show a true understanding of the world and Canada's place in it. He used the word hegemony several times and I knew his was referring to us here to your south and our horrible wannbe dictator.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that tRump's speech was anywhere near the brilliance shown by Carney.
Yes indeed, the more we know, the better for all of us. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI found the full text on the WEF website!
ReplyDeleteI watched the event. We are fortunate to have this man at this time.
ReplyDeleteWe could give trump trinkets and he would be so happy that he would change his mind on very serious issues.
ReplyDeleteI saw him in, i think, an outdoor Q&A session and he stopped to let his cat in the door. His speech was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI love this man. And watched the speech (or at least most of it) on the news. You are lucky to have him. Thanks for both the posting of the video and also the excerpts.
ReplyDeleteHe's the right man for this moment. And the picture with his cat tells us a lot.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Boud. His words were true, measured, and charting a hopeful path through the horrible and chaotic days. I will shamefully admit to having to look up hegemony though. I do love a new word. Thank you for this. I heard that speech got a standing ovation.
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves it except the Globe and Mail. The comment there was, essentially, that talk is cheap.
ReplyDeleteWonderful speech! If only we could have a similarly rational leader..
ReplyDeleteOur PM is kind of a unicorn (to me) and I'm grateful for what he's tacitly endorsing and invoking.
ReplyDeleteI saw his speech. Glad to have him in the job. The steady hand we need.
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