As global tensions again dominate the international agenda, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is taking heart from what he described as meaningful movement toward a longer-lasting ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Speaking to RTÉ News ahead of tomorrow’s G7 Summit in France, Mr Carney said leaders will gather with a sharp focus on the issues he believes matter most right now.
“We’re encouraged, as we sit down, by the progress with respect to a potential more durable ceasefire with Iran, but what needs to be done to reinforce it?” Mr Carney said.
“So that, in many respects, is topic number one, for the G7, and importantly, for partner countries from the Gulf who are coming,” he added.
Mr Carney said the summit’s second major priority will be Ukraine.
“We know how this war is going to end and it is with a Ukrainian victory, and every day that it goes on is a tragedy in terms of loss of human life,” he said.
Visit to Mayo ‘very emotional’
On his visit to Co Mayo, Mr Carney said ‘it’s always good to meet family’
During a visit to Co Mayo, Mr Carney said the trip has brought a wave of uplifting—and deeply personal—feelings.
“First off, I realised I have many more cousins than I had thought which is good.
“It’s always good to meet family,” he said.
He continued: “Secondly, it’s just a very positive attitude.
“The lesson of my family and my grandparents, is a familiar one, leaving during times of some difficulty, but retaining the values, retaining the ties, and then coming back and seeing how far Ireland has come.”
Mr Carney also revisited his decision last year, before becoming prime minister, to renounce his Irish citizenship—an action he noted was not demanded under Canadian law.
“I wasn’t required to do it by law and there are millions of Canadians who have dual citizenship,” he said.
“I just felt that it, as prime minister, as leader of the country, it needed to be straightforward and clear,” he added.
He stressed the move “doesn’t change my connection to Ireland”.
“Certainly you can’t change your history and the lessons you’ve learned and the values you’ve learned from them,” he said.
He added: “But sometimes in politics and life, it’s better to just keep things simple.
“So, I renounced or returned the citizenship.
“There was no malice in it. And, of course, the ties remain as strong as ever.”
Canadian economy transforming itself
Mr Carney has long warned of a “rupture” in the current global order and argued that smaller “middle powers” may need to build new alliances.
Asked whether it is realistic for Canada to reduce its reliance on the US for exports—particularly as Canada enters a technical recession this year—he pointed to recent economic indicators at home.
He said: “In Canada, our April GDP figures were very strong and we’re creating jobs over the last year at twice the rate of the United States.
“Foreign investment in Canada is twice the rate of the United States, far and away highest in the G7.”
Mr Carney said Canada’s economy “is transforming itself”.
“Now, you don’t transform overnight, but you do transform when the world changes,” he added.
World Cup?
Watch: Carney says Canada will beat US in the World Cup final
With Canada set to co-host the World Cup alongside the US and Mexico, Mr Carney was asked whether the tournament could help soften the current strains between neighbours.
“I think, yes, sport at its best, bridges those divides, and, you know, I’m sure the United States will take it well when we beat them in the final,” he said.
