Mark Carney has completed 25 weeks as Prime Minister, prompting a review of his performance against his campaign promises. Carney, who positioned himself as a leader committed to discipline, integrity, and national pride, has faced criticism for failing to deliver on key pledges.

One of Carney's main promises was to address government spending. He presented himself as a financial expert capable of rectifying the fiscal issues left by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Carney vowed to end wasteful spending and make tough financial choices. However, in less than six months, he has increased annual federal spending by $37 billion, an eight percent rise, and has created larger deficits than those left by Trudeau. His finance minister has acknowledged that there is no plan to return to a balanced budget during this mandate, indicating that deficits will continue to grow. Despite claims of implementing “15 percent cuts” to government operations, spending records reveal a five percent increase in bureaucracy costs and a staggering 36 percent rise in consultant fees. Ottawa is borrowing at near-pandemic levels to manage escalating interest costs, with projections indicating record debt issuance this year.

Carney also promised to prioritize Canadian sovereignty, asserting he would stand firm against U.S. President Donald Trump. He claimed he would “put elbows up” and negotiate effectively. However, when faced with Trump's tariff increases, Carney retreated, abandoning counter-tariffs and a proposed digital services tax. His commitment to securing a trade deal by July 2 has not materialized, leaving Canadians with higher tariffs and a weakened economy.

In terms of infrastructure, Carney pledged to double homebuilding and initiate ambitious projects. Yet, housing starts in Toronto have significantly declined, with projections indicating a 13 percent drop in new construction across Canada over the next two years. No major infrastructure projects, such as pipelines or energy corridors, have been approved, despite the government receiving expanded powers to expedite these initiatives. Carney's current stance suggests that nothing will proceed without broad consensus, which critics argue leads to inaction.

Integrity has also come under scrutiny. During his campaign, Carney claimed to hold only “cash and personal real estate.” However, disclosures revealed he owns 574 stock holdings, including shares in major companies like Amazon, Pfizer, and Brookfield Asset Management, where he previously served as Chair. This discrepancy raises questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest, as Carney's financial interests could be influenced by government decisions.

Overall, the pattern emerging from Carney's first months in office shows a disconnect between his promises and actions. He pledged fiscal responsibility but has increased debt, promised strength but delivered concessions, and claimed transparency while concealing significant financial interests. As a result, many Canadians are left questioning whether Carney is the leader he promised to be.