By The Canadian Press

Opposition to press Liberals on backing up promises with action to bolster economy

Jan 25, 2026 | 10:51 AM

OTTAWA — Opposition members say they will press Prime Minister Mark Carney to back up his bold words about Canada’s future with concrete action as Parliament resumes Monday after the holiday break.

Carney returns to the front bench of the House of Commons after travelling the globe to spur exports and drum up investment from new sources amid deep uncertainty about Canada’s trading relationship with the United States.

In a high-profile speech in Switzerland, the prime minister urged other middle powers to join Canada in building a new order that embraces respect for human rights, sustainable development, state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Liberals can expect pressure in the House from opposition MPs demanding to know what the government will do to help Canadians who are losing their jobs and struggling to put food on the table.

Interim NDP Leader Don Davies says New Democrats will focus on the economy and Canadian sovereignty and security. The party will zero in on policies that can be implemented immediately to address the party’s priorities — jobs, housing, health care and affordability, he said in an interview.

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“We’re gonna be calling on this government for concrete actions now, not promises years from now,” Davies said.

“Words are one thing and actions are another.”

Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer said the Conservatives will push for measures including a capital gains tax credit to encourage people to invest in Canadian businesses.

The Conservatives also propose measures Scheer says would remove “hidden taxes” that make food more expensive.

People are looking at the price-tags on beef and fresh fruit and vegetables in the supermarket and putting the food back on the shelves, Scheer said Sunday in an interview.

He said Carney must explain why Canada still faces tariff-related taunts from U.S. President Donald Trump, as the prime minister was supposed to be “the man with the plan” to ease the bilateral friction.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently said Canadians should continue to work with allies in the United States — outside the Trump administration — until the larger relationship can be repaired.

He said Conservatives “stand ready to help” the Liberals fight U.S. tariffs.

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said Trump’s threats against the Canadian economy would not deter the Liberals from trying to make Canada stronger, including through trade.

“We’re going to continue pursuing that mandate and we’ll have a lot of legislation, a lot of initiatives, a lot of things to propose to Canadians in this upcoming session,” he said Sunday before a Liberal caucus meeting.

As for Poilievre’s offer to work with the government, MacKinnon said that “we note the change in tone.”

He added he suspects people in Conservative-held ridings have let it be known that they want a change in approach because they largely approve of the government’s emphasis on growth and expanded trade.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser suggested voters have no time for partisan squabbling.

“If there’s different points of view, those points of view need to be expressed, need to be fully debated, but there’s no patience for personal snipes, for deep partisanship that doesn’t advance progress,” he said Sunday.

“People want us to collaborate where we can to advance the common good for communities across the country. If that’s the spirit that other parties are going to take this parliamentary sitting, it would be a pleasant change.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2026.

— With files from David Baxter

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press