"Elbows Up, Canada: Why Mark Carney Might Be Our Best Shot Yet"

A Canadian’s take on political polarization, Mark Carney’s leadership, and why dinner parties and traffic jams have more in common than you think. Gloves off. Elbows up. Canada.

Elbows Up, Canada: Why Mark Carney Might Be Our Best Shot Yet

This Isn’t a Political Post (But You’ll Probably Think It Is)

I have a confession—an embarrassing one at that. But I’m not going to lead with it. Because it just might be my Get Out of Jail free card the next time I go to the States. And after this post, I just might need it.

I’m not a political person. This is not a political post. Although I’m well aware that saying it’s not political is often the international signal for here comes something political. It’s like prefacing a conversation with, “No offense, but…”

I loathe talking politics. There’s nothing worse at a dinner party—except maybe karaoke.

Dinner Parties, Traffic Jams, and Unsolicited Opinions

Opinions get louder, veins pop, and suddenly you’re defending free trade over dry chicken to a man wearing his baseball cap backwards. It’s exhausting.

So let’s ensure you get invited back for dinner.

You're no more likely to change someone’s political stance over a third glass of wine than you are to clear a traffic jam by laying on your horn and screaming “MOVE!” Same outcome: you’re going nowhere—and annoying the shit out of everyone around you.

Canadian Perspective: No Party Allegiance Required

As a Canadian, I’ve voted for two of the three major political parties. I’ll let you guess which two. Feel free to assign meaning based on my haircut, footwear, or general aura of well-intentioned fatigue.

I have always cast my vote either behind a cause, or for who I believe is best qualified to get the job done.

Unlike in the U.S., I didn’t have to declare a party at 18. Americans are required—legally in some states, culturally in all—to declare themselves one thing or the other. It’s like blood type, only with more lawn signs.

And the number of times I’ve been asked,

“So, are you a Democrat or Republican?”

When I say, “Neither—I’m a Canadian living in the UK.”

The follow-up is always: “Yeah but, like… which way do you lean?”

Excuse me, but those are your monkeys, your circus. I have my own to contend with.

Canadians Are Not Just Americans With Better Manners

We’re quiet, modest, slightly allergic to confidence. Except, of course, if we’re playing hockey. We don’t wear our patriotism like cologne. We drape it gently over a chair and apologize if it’s in your way.

That is until…you piss us off. Then gloves off, elbows up and good luck Jack.

It takes a lot to get Quebecers shouting “Je suis Canadien!”—but if we’ve reached that point, and we have, something has gone very wrong. Probably involving poutine.

Let’s Not Name Names

But Yes, I’m Talking About the American President.

I’m not using his name here because I’d like to avoid being thrown into an El Salvador gulag without due process the next time I try to visit my daughters in Los Angeles.

My disdain for this particular man has nothing to do with party lines. He could be a Democrat, Republican, or a member of the Galactic Senate. He could be the Pope or a billionaire bro launching rockets into space. My opinion isn’t based on the banner—it’s based on the man.

Mark Carney: Calm in the Storm

Which brings me to Mark Carney.

You might remember him from the 2008 financial crisis—the one sparked by the U.S. housing market collapse. Carney, then Governor of the Bank of Canada, helped steady the country with such finesse that he was plucked to run the Bank of England.

The first non-Brit ever appointed. Cue posh, pearl-clutching gasp from the British.

“A Canadian? Oh, hell no.”

But yes. A Canadian. Blasphemy.

Carney: Economic Mary Poppins or James Bond?

Carney wasn’t just any central banker. He was the central banker during multiple crises. His leadership during Brexit? Applauded. His term? Extended. The calm in a storm. Confident without being smug. A sort of economic Mary Poppins with a PhD—or the fiscal version of James Bond. I’m good with either.

Crisis Number Three: Canada at a Crossroads

And now here we are, staring down an extraordinary, unprecedented crisis.

I’m not interested in debating how we got here or whose fault it is. (See: traffic jam, horn-blasting metaphor above.)
We’re here. This is now.

Canada is facing the most important election of our lifetimes. And I’m not being dramatic—which, if you know me, is rare. Our southern neighbour has taken a hostile turn. Our longtime friend, ally, and largest trading partner has essentially declared economic war on Canada.

Am I exaggerating? Not even a little.

We Need a Grown-Up in the Room

Carney isn’t a politician. He’s a crisis manager. A battle-tested economist. Someone absurdly qualified to steady the ship. A grown-up. To which I say: phew.

And with the exception of one friend—a Republican, British-Canadian hybrid who in a single breathe called Carney a “stupid twat” and then used the phrase “a little disappointed” in reference to Trump (damn, I used his name) —everyone else in my curated London circle is openly jealous that we have Carney behind the wheel.

Final Word: Elbows Up, Canada

“We didn’t ask for this fight,” Carney said, “but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves.”

It’s go time, Canada. This not just any election. I know, cause I’m not political.

And if this post lands me in trouble the next time I try to cross the U.S. border, here it is! My embarrassing full-page newspaper interview from 1990— my Get Out of Jail Free card.

To save you the trouble of reading it let me paraphrase.

My mother and I were to pick out my future husband. Yup.

We were given six options, including; a Prince, a rock star, Hollywood’s number one leading man…and you guessed it...Donald Trump.

I don’t think I need to tell you who I chose or who my mother happily picked for her future son-in-law. Let’s just say I have quite the track record picking men. But thank god I kept this. You never know when this un-political Canadian might need to flaunt it.

I’ll laminate it, just in case.

Gloves off. Elbows up. Canada.

Christina Ford is the award-winning author of In Search of Mr Darcy: Lessons Learnt In The Pursuit of Happily Ever After .