Kevin O’Leary, the renowned investor from Shark Tank, has vocalized strong opinions regarding Canadian politics, specifically targeting Mark Carney and the Liberal Party. As Canada approaches a pivotal federal election set for April 28, 2025, O’Leary warns that the current administration may face significant backlash from voters.
In a statement posted on Instagram on April 11, O’Leary highlighted the sluggish economic growth during the Liberal Party’s tenure, noting that the nation’s GDP has increased by just 1.4% over the past ten years. He contends that this lackluster performance could play a crucial role in shaping the electoral landscape.
Moreover, O’Leary accuses Carney of attempting to redirect public attention toward the former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, arguing that this strategy is a diversion from the pressing economic challenges faced by Canadians. He suggests that as Trump’s influence wanes, voters may become more critical of Carney’s leadership and performance.
“My sense is that’s happening right now and now he’s gonna run into trouble because people are gonna start saying, ‘Well, the Trump thing is getting resolved, but what about you and your party? What about your track record and all the same people that buried the country are still in their positions in cabinet? Why do we want more of that?'”O’Leary stated.
O’Leary’s Critique of Carney’s Leadership
Mark Carney recently took the helm of the Liberal Party, succeeding Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister. Following his appointment, Carney called for a snap election, further intensifying the political scene as the nation prepares for voting in April 2025.
During this crucial election, Canadians will elect 343 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons. The political party securing the majority of seats will form the government, with its leader becoming the Prime Minister.
Currently, Carney’s Liberal Party is leading in the polls against the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre.
O’Leary’s April 11 remarks included a video clip where he articulated concerns about Carney’s tactics. He expressed that the narrative surrounding Trump’s critiques of Canada is being used strategically to distract from the Liberal Party’s substantial economic shortcomings.
The investor, known for his straightforward approach, drew attention to what he described as a “toxic relationship”with former Prime Minister Trudeau, emphasizing that Carney’s current leadership should not evade scrutiny for past failures.
“Carney’s been successful saying, ‘Don’t look at the track record of my party which bankrupted 25% of you Canadians and wiped out GDP growth. Canada only grew 1.4% in a decade. It’s the most disastrous period in Canadian history, and that was all at the feet of the Liberals.’ He’s massively said, ‘Look, forget about that. Let me distract you to Trump. Trump is only looking at Canada,'”O’Leary remarked.
O’Leary argues that Carney’s focus on external political threats, like Trump, serves as a diversion away from domestic economic discussions that Canadians are facing. He points out that Trump has shifted his attention to global matters, potentially limiting the effectiveness of Carney’s distraction tactics.
As the political climate evolves, O’Leary anticipates that voters will begin closely evaluating Carney’s track record, which could impact his party’s standing in the upcoming elections.
“I think it’s going to show up in the polls that people will start looking at his track record, and that may hurt him in the election. We’ll wait and see,”he concluded.
As Canadians gear up for the electoral process, O’Leary believes that critical scrutiny of political leadership will be paramount, redefining the narrative leading into the polls.
Don’t forget to catch new episodes of Shark Tank, Season 16, airing every Friday on ABC.