Next week, the exclusive Swiss Alpine resort of Davos will once again become the focal point of global power and influence. Prime Minister Mark Carney, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and the leaders of at least 60 nations are set to converge for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), joined by hundreds of corporate chief executives.
A Symbol of Globalization Under Scrutiny
The forum, which presents itself as a force for improving lives worldwide, has long been shadowed by questions about its true impact. Critics argue that its lofty goals are undermined by its nature as a private gathering of the global elite at a luxury ski destination, where the most significant discussions happen behind closed doors.
Detractors frequently label the WEF a conference of disconnected elites, more interested in advancing a model of top-down global governance than in protecting individual freedoms and national prosperity. This perception has turned the event into a political lightning rod, particularly in Canada.
The Canadian Political Divide on Davos
The forum has sharply divided Canadian political leaders. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been a vocal critic, accusing former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal cabinet of being overly cozy with the WEF. Poilievre has pledged that a future Conservative government would not participate, a stance that opponents have sometimes dismissed as indulging in conspiracy theories.
Controversy was further fueled by remarks from Klaus Schwab, the retired founder of the WEF. In 2017, Schwab boasted that his organization had successfully "penetrated" more than half of Trudeau's cabinet. Notable figures included Chrystia Freeland, who joined the WEF board of trustees in 2019, and Trudeau himself, who is scheduled to speak at a related Davos event on "soft power" this year.
However, Conservative history with the forum is nuanced. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke at the WEF twice while in office and praised Schwab in his 2018 book. Yet, Harper also cautioned that Davos had developed an "atmosphere of elitism that would be hard to surpass," where attendees often acted as a "supreme world council" passing judgment on nations.
Agendas and Expectations for 2026
For Prime Minister Mark Carney, the forum is a natural venue. With his elite financial background, he plans to use the event to meet with global government and business leaders. His stated goal is to attract investment by promoting Canada's strengths in natural resources, agriculture, energy, and advanced technologies, aiming to create new opportunities for Canadian industries and workers.
The appearance of former President Donald Trump adds a layer of unpredictability. As a historic disruptor of traditional political and economic alliances, his message to the gathered globalists remains a subject of intense speculation.
As the world's powerful prepare for their annual pilgrimage to the Alps, the fundamental question persists: Can a meeting of the global elite in a remote, opulent resort genuinely drive inclusive global progress, or does it merely symbolize the very disconnect its critics allege?
