A Holiday Wish List for Prime Minister Mark Carney

For the final post in our holiday series, we round out our look at Canadian politics with one last curated list, inspired by the year’s defining moments and the leadership ahead. 

Now, on to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Wish List

🎁 The “Mar-a-Lago Proof” Sharpie

A customized permanent marker for unpredictable trade summits, designed with industrial grade ink so signatures don’t disappear the moment the President tweets something about dairy tariffs.

It is the only way to ensure a trade deal lasts longer than the flight home.

🎁 The “Team Canada” Solitaire Deck

A standard deck of cards with solitaire in mind – the perfect game for a Prime Minister whose provincial allies have slowly left the table.

With solitaire, he can enjoy a stimulating game without needing all the Liberal premiers at once, which is just as well, because they aren’t there.

🎁 The “Welcome Home” Recruitment Kit

A discreet package kept on standby for Conservative MPs who are realizing that Pierre Poilievre’s management style is not exactly what they signed up for.

It includes a pre-tied red necktie and a stress ball – serving as a gentle reminder that crossing the floor can turn into a stressful moment.

🎁 The CN Tower EdgeWalk Season Pass

A thoughtful parting gift for Steven Guilbeault as he leaves Cabinet. With a safety harness and official approval from the risk management department, it’s a chance for him to recreate his famous 2001 climb up the CN Tower.

After years of high-profile environmental advocacy and a term in cabinet, retirement from federal politics could offer new heights. At the very least, the view from the CN tower is still excellent.

🎁 The “Landscape Mode” Calculator

A heavy-duty calculator for the Finance Department and it’s growing list of zeros. When a standard portrait-mode screen is simply too narrow, landscape accommodates the scale – even if it requires a little squinting.

Fiscal challenges remain front-and-centre as the new government settles in, and this upgraded model keeps the “operational balance” looking precise. Turning the screen sideways won’t change the math, but at least everything fits.

🎁 The “Davos-to-French” Dictionary

A specialized translation guide for a Prime Minister who speaks fluent Central Banker but still needs to improve his French. It helps translate phrases like “quantitative easing” and “fiscal anchors” into something more useful – like the language needed to order a pain sandwich.

Carney’s economic fluency is unquestioned, but federal leadership demands bilingual finesse. As the year unfolds, every phrase matters, especially in a province where politics and language are never far apart.

Whether any of these gifts make it off the wish list is anyone’s guess. But the themes are clear: diplomacy abroad, unity at home, and a year of careful balance. As 2026 approaches, the view from the top – calculator and dictionary hopefully in hand – will be worth watching.