Canadian lawyer and activist Dimitri Lascaris has delivered a blistering indictment of Prime Minister Mark Carney, describing him as “the greatest political scammer in Canadian history.” His accusation, made following the Liberals’ sweep of three federal by-elections, raises an uncomfortable question: are Canadians being persuaded to celebrate a political image while overlooking the substance of the government’s policies?

Carney has built considerable political capital by presenting himself as the leader capable of standing up to US President Donald Trump. At a time when American tariffs and threats have unsettled Canadians, that image has obvious appeal. Canadians want a prime minister who will defend their sovereignty, protect Canadian jobs and prevent Washington from dictating our economic future.

But standing up to Trump in speeches is not the same as delivering economic independence.

Lascaris argues that the confrontation between Ottawa and Washington is narrower than the political rhetoric suggests. He questions why Carney is pursuing policies that, in his view, accommodate American interests while asking Canadians to believe they are witnessing a historic struggle for national sovereignty.

Consider the digital services tax. Carney’s government abandoned the three-per-cent levy on certain revenues earned by large domestic and foreign businesses from Canadian online users. The legislation repealing the tax received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, and the government agreed to refund payments already collected.

Was this a necessary compromise to restart trade negotiations, or another example of Canada retreating when Washington applies pressure? Canadians deserve a convincing explanation of what the country gained in return. If concessions are made without measurable benefits, the government cannot simply demand that the public trust its judgment.

The concerns extend beyond trade. Carney’s government is pursuing a major expansion of defence spending, targeting five per cent of GDP by 2035 under NATO’s new defence investment commitment. It is also fast-tracking major energy projects and courting international investors.

These initiatives may create jobs and strengthen strategic capacity. But they also raise legitimate questions about priorities, public spending, environmental consequences and who ultimately benefits from the investments. National security must not become a convenient justification for spending commitments that escape meaningful scrutiny.

The Liberals’ by-election victories have strengthened Carney’s parliamentary position. That makes accountability more important, not less. With a majority government, the prime minister has greater freedom to advance his agenda, but Canadians have fewer parliamentary safeguards against a government determined to push its policies through.

Lascaris’s language is deliberately provocative. Calling Carney a political scammer is an accusation, not an established fact. Yet dismissing the criticism because of its bluntness would be equally irresponsible. The real issue is whether Carney’s actions match the promises and expectations that brought him to power.

Canadians did not elect a prime minister merely to look strong beside Trump. They elected a leader to protect their economic interests, strengthen public services, create sustainable employment and defend the country’s ability to make independent decisions.

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