Naomi Klein questions Carney’s response to trade tensions and crisis politics

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 07, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC News

Canadian author and activist Naomi Klein is drawing parallels between the current political and economic climate in Canada and the ideas she explored nearly two decades ago in The Shock Doctrine.

In a recent discussion on CBC’s Front Burner, Klein examined Prime Minister Mark Carney’s response to the trade conflict with the United States and argued that moments of crisis can create opportunities for governments to push through major economic and political changes.

Klein’s comments come as Canada continues to deal with pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, including tariffs and broader threats to the country’s economic and political relationship with its largest trading partner.

She also questioned how Carney’s government is approaching nation-building, economic policy and climate-related decisions during a period of heightened uncertainty.

The conversation extends beyond the Canada-U.S. trade dispute. Klein also discussed her latest book, End Times Fascism: And the Fight for the Living World, which examines the relationship between political movements, economic systems, climate change and growing social instability.

Klein has long focused on how governments and corporations respond to major crises. Her Shock Doctrine argument centres on the idea that periods of upheaval can be used to introduce policies that might face greater resistance under normal circumstances.

Her latest assessment places that framework against a very different Canadian landscape, where trade tensions, climate concerns, artificial intelligence and changing global alliances are converging at the same time.

The discussion reflects a broader debate over how Canada should respond to external economic pressure while pursuing its own long-term priorities, and whether the policies introduced during a crisis will shape the country long after the immediate emergency has passed.