Susan Delacourt: Mark Carney’s budget bets Canadians will buy a story about sovereignty and pride

Toronto Star · Susan Delacourt · 2026-11-05 23:30 UTC

A critical voice sees the new emphasis as a "little drizzle of maple syrup" coating the government's other priorities.

The 500-plus-page budget that has now landed before Canadians is not exactly a piece of literature — but it is coming from a government with some literary aspirations.

Mark Carney’s government is leaning on themes of culture and identity with Budget 2026, hoping that it tells a story of Canadian pride and patriotism at this moment in the country’s history.

What is this moment? In keeping with this government’s habit of talking about Donald Trump without actually mentioning the U.S. president, the budget drapes many of its measures with the mantle of sovereignty.

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