John Ivison: Has Mark Carney peaked? The curse of the Rolling Stone would say so - National Post

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. Photo by Hyungcheol Park/PostmediaArticle contentThis is probably as good as it gets for Mark Carney, if the curse of Rolling Stone holds true.

The prime minister was lauded for his “genius-level instincts” in a recent profile in the magazine, under the headline: “How Mark Carney Became Leader of the Free World by Standing Up to Trump.”

There was more breathless prose about Canada being “an underdog, bad-ass, outlaw nation.”

But it was a reminder that such those who the gods wish to destroy, they first put on the cover of Rolling Stone.

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In July 2017, Justin Trudeau was at 43 per cent support in the polls when he was profiled. “Why Can’t He Be Our President?”, ran the headline. “Is the Canadian Prime Minister the Free World’s Best Hope?”

It quickly became apparent that whatever the question was, Justin Trudeau was not the answer and his popularity at home dived.

Similarly, Carney has appeared weightless to this point but discontent is as fundamental a property of politics as gravitational pull is on mass. Sooner or later, he will come down to earth with a bump – quite possibly because he has decided to expend some of the political capital he has accumulated.

That certainly seems to be the case when it comes to the new legislation aimed at reducing the days and hours lost to labour disputes. Unions like Unifor backed the Liberals in 2025, but their patience will be stretched by a law aimed at limiting the right to strike.

Carney’s iconic image as the leader of the Trump resistance will likely be tested if Mexico and the U.S. strike a deal and invite Canada to join, as happened in 2018.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that an agreement is close “within the framework of sovereignty, respect and what is best for Mexico.” If such a deal respecting Canadian sovereignty and featuring lower tariff rates on steel, aluminum and cars is presented, Carney will be under enormous pressure to accept.