Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's inaugural budget has drawn sharp criticism for what political commentator John Snobelen describes as a timid approach to the country's mounting economic challenges. Published on November 14, 2025, the budget comes at a time when Canada faces what Snobelen calls a perfectly good crisis that demands bold leadership rather than cautious management.
The Crisis Opportunity
According to Snobelen, governments typically respond to crises in one of two ways: they either manage down threats to avoid public discomfort or seize the moment to implement transformative policies. The columnist argues that the Carney Liberals have chosen the former path, despite having what he considers an ideal opportunity for meaningful change.
The global economy remains in turmoil while Canada struggles with enormous debt, an inefficient public service, and outdated industrial and energy policies. Snobelen points to the previous Liberal government's record of doubling Canada's debt by borrowing $600 billion over 10 years, only to have the Carney administration plan to match that amount in just half the time.
Budget Analysis: Talk Versus Action
During the weeks leading up to the budget announcement, Carney had warned Canadians about necessary sacrifices and austerity measures. He promised that Canada would adopt a new course under sober fiscal management to enhance global competitiveness.
However, the actual budget reveals a different story. The Carney government plans to reduce annual spending increases from 7% during the Trudeau era to 6.9%—a marginal change that Snobelen characterizes as anything but austerity. Similarly, while the Trudeau administration added over 100,000 public servants, the Carney Liberals propose clawing back only about 30% of that increase over four years.
Missed Opportunities for Bold Policy
Snobelen outlines several areas where the government could have demonstrated genuine leadership. He suggests using artificial intelligence strategy to reduce the federal public service to 20% below pre-Trudeau levels, eliminating regulations that trap Canadian resources, dismantling Liberal greenwashing initiatives, and implementing radical corporate tax cuts to boost productivity and investment.
The columnist references former Obama administration official Rahm Emanuel's famous advice about never letting a good crisis go to waste. Emanuel had argued that crises present opportunities to accomplish things previously considered impossible or unthinkable.
Snobelen concludes that the Carney government needs advice from outside the old Trudeau cabinet circles. He maintains that Canada's challenges require urgent action and policies that will fundamentally alter the country's trajectory rather than merely slowing its decline. In an era demanding bold vision, he summarizes the budget with one word: timid.
The commentary emphasizes that Canadians have consistently proven their ability to rise to challenging moments throughout history, and they deserve a government that both trusts them and demonstrates equal fearlessness in addressing the nation's pressing issues.
