Harper backs Carney government as Canada looks beyond US for trade

Former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper says Canada had “no choice” but to walk away from trade negotiations with the United States and must reduce its economic reliance on its southern neighbour.

Speaking at the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, Harper described the shift as both “sad” and “necessary”, while warning it would come with “significant cost.”

“Leadership is defined by taking accountability for what you can control,” Harper said.

“And today, more than ever, Canada must become more internally competitive, more externally connected, and more truly sovereign than it has been.”

Harper also called for Canada to establish itself as a global energy superpower, a goal Prime Minister Mark Carney has also promoted.

“In 2015, Canada was poised to become that energy superpower. Today, we are not. Why? Because of deliberate policy choices that followed over the next decade,” Harper said.

He praised the Carney government for measures to speed up major project approvals, particularly in the oil sands.

Harper also welcomed the government’s investment summit and some of its economic reforms.

“It is such a great innovation that I wish I had thought of it.”