Mark Carney’s rise as Canada’s new prime minister has drawn fierce criticism from Jordan Peterson, who argues that Carney’s climate-focused agenda threatens Canada’s economic stability and sovereignty. Peterson, a prominent critic of progressive policies, claims Carney’s and ties to globalist institutions like the World Economic Forum (WEF) represent a continuation of Justin Trudeau’s “catastrophic” governance, but with a more technocratic veneer.
### Key Criticisms from Jordan Peterson
Peterson dismisses Carney’s climate plan—which replaces consumer carbon taxes with industrial regulations and incentives—as . He argues that phasing out fossil fuels without viable alternatives will cripple Canada’s resource-dependent economy, particularly in provinces like Alberta. Peterson highlights Carney’s support for and “stakeholder capitalism,” which he equates to top-down economic control that stifles innovation and prioritizes “hypothetical planetary needs” over tangible prosperity.
Peterson frames Carney as a whose internationalist credentials—including roles at the Bank of England and UN climate initiatives—make him indifferent to Canadian sovereignty. He warns that Carney’s push for policies like carbon border adjustments and stricter methane regulations aligns with WEF-style governance, undermining national autonomy in favor of unelected transnational bodies. Peterson also criticizes Carney’s vague stance on issues like Quebec’s Bill 21 (religious symbols ban), accusing him of dodging contentious topics to avoid alienating voters.
Peterson links Carney’s climate agenda to , citing the collapse of ESG investing and public backlash against green policies in Europe. He claims Carney’s plan to eliminate consumer carbon taxes while maintaining industrial regulations is a superficial rebranding of Trudeau’s unpopular climate strategy, which Peterson blames for Canada’s declining GDP per capita relative to the U.S..
### Broader Context
Carney’s election follows Justin Trudeau’s resignation amid rising U.S.-Canada trade tensions under Donald Trump, who has threatened tariffs and mocked Canadian sovereignty. Peterson suggests Carney’s technocratic approach will fail to address these challenges, leaving Canada vulnerable to economic decline and further integration into a .
### Carney’s Defenders vs. Peterson’s Warnings
Supporters praise Carney’s financial expertise and climate credentials, including his role in shaping the at COP28. However, Peterson counters that Carney’s “values” are out of touch with ordinary Canadians, pointing to his inability to estimate grocery costs and his elitist demeanor. For Peterson, Carney symbolizes a prioritizing virtue signaling over practical solutions.
In summary, Peterson views Carney’s premiership as a of Trudeau-era policies, combining economic centralization with climate moralizing. He urges Canadians to reject Carney’s vision or risk becoming a “gilded prison” of declining prosperity and eroded freedoms.
