Mark Carney says ‘Who cares?’ comment ‘poor choice of words’

Article content

Mark Carney went elbows down on Tuesday, labelling his controversial comments about trade negotiations with the U.S. as a “poor choice of words.”

The prime minister faced pointed questions from the Opposition in the House of Commons for responding with, “Who cares?” when asked Sunday by a CBC reporter if he was talking to U.S. President Donald Trump in an attempt to mend the countries’ frayed economic relations.

Article content

Article content

“Before the election he promised ‘elbows up,’ ” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said on Tuesday during question period, via The Canadian Press. “After, it was, ‘Who cares?’ Before the election, he said the tariffs were an ‘existential crisis.’ Now he says they’re not a burning issue.

“Why is the prime minister before the election so much different than the one after?”

Article content

PM says remark was a ‘mistake’

That prompted Carney to offer a mea culpa over his comments, which he made Sunday during a gathering of G20 leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“On the night of the election … I made a promise to Canadians,” Carney said on Tuesday during question period. “When I make a mistake, I’ll admit it. That was a poor choice of words about a serious issue.”

Carney also said he expects to announce more federal help for tariff-affected sectors this week.

The incident was sparked by Carney seemingly lashing out on Sunday at a follow-up question from the CBC’s Ashley Burke, who had earlier asked the PM on the sidelines of the G20 conference whether Trump had “returned your calls or texts” without receiving a response.

Article content

“Who cares?” Carney said. “I mean, it’s a detail. It’s a detail. I spoke to him. I’ll speak to him again when it matters.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Tense times as trade talks still suspended

Trump abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada last month in response to an ad paid for by the Ontario government that featured a recording of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan speaking against tariffs.

Carney later apologized to Trump for the ads, but trade talks are still suspended.

The prime minister is considering travelling to Washington next week for a FIFA World Cup event.

— With files from The Canadian Press.

Article content