OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney is in London this week for his 13th international trip since taking office in March. His extensive travel schedule has elicited both criticism and support. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has publicly criticized Carney's frequent trips, suggesting they distract from pressing domestic issues. In a recent social media post, Poilievre remarked that Carney was "back on his taxpayer-funded jet" for a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He further claimed that under Carney's leadership, problems such as crime, inflation, and housing affordability have worsened, stating, "Mark Carney prances around abroad while Canadians pay the price at home."

Despite the criticism, some experts argue that Carney's travels are essential for strengthening Canada's international trade relationships, especially as the U.S. becomes less predictable under President Donald Trump. Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University, noted, "Carney’s challenge is a very simple one — to send a message to the rest of the world that Canada is back open for business." Hampson believes Carney is effectively marketing Canada to diversify trade sources and attract investment.

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party declined to comment further beyond Poilievre's posts. Meanwhile, Carney's office did not respond to inquiries about balancing international travel with his responsibilities in the House of Commons. Since the House resumed last week, Carney has participated in only three question periods, compared to nine during the spring sitting following the election.

Since becoming prime minister, Carney has visited 11 countries, primarily in Europe. Shortly after taking office, he traveled to Paris and London. He is scheduled to attend several summits this fall, including the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, the APEC forum in South Korea, and the G20 summit in South Africa. Earlier this month, Carney signed an agreement with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to develop infrastructure while addressing crime and environmental concerns.

In August, he visited Ukraine, Germany, Poland, and Latvia, reinforcing Canada's support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. Carney has also made two trips to the United States, visiting Washington in May and attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

Hampson emphasized that Carney's trips should not be viewed as "political tourism" but rather as a proactive approach to rebuilding international trade ties while managing domestic issues through discussions with provincial leaders. He added that Carney understands the importance of consistent engagement, stating, "You’ve got to build those relationships with people that are going to do business with you."

As Carney continues his travels, the debate over the effectiveness and necessity of his international engagements remains a focal point in Canadian politics.