National Citizens Coalition Statement on ‘Elbows Down’

Issued by NCC President Peter Coleman

August 22, 2025 – As insulting as a Friday-news-dump of an “Elbows down” walk-back is to the millions of Canadians denied the full extent of a dearly needed change election, today’s announcement from Mark Carney, that Canada will be dropping most retaliatory tariffs and no longer violating CUSMA, represents a potential step in the right direction going into a vital September for change and Canadian renewal.

To accompany this development, the National Citizens Coalition demands that Prime Minister Mark Carney finally abandon his empty rhetoric and deliver bold, decisive action to address Canada’s economic challenges amid U.S. uncertainties and continued trade pressures. Carney’s recent press conference analogy—suggesting Canada must know when to “put the elbows down” late in a hockey game—is a feeble attempt to justify a failed strategy. His earlier “elbows up” slogan, focus-tested to inflict fear and mislead the public, was lacking in substance, and had produced no results.

In a trade matchup against the U.S.—an economic juggernaut akin to the Broad Street Bullies of hockey—Canada, the smaller and more trade-dependent player, cannot afford to provoke its largest partner with reckless posturing. Canada’s economy relies far more on the U.S. than vice versa. Yet, under Carney’s leadership, tariffs were inexplicably applied to American goods covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which should have remained tariff-free. This blunder was inexcusable and reflects a profound misjudgment of our economic reality. While we note Carney’s belated course correction, it’s insufficient and overdue. Canadians, already stretched thin, cannot bear further cost increases driven by trade barriers. Lower interest rates are essential to ease this burden, but they remain unattainable as long as tariffs fuel inflation.

Equally troubling is Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s continued misguided push for one-for-one retaliatory measures against the United States. This tit-for-tat approach has only escalated tensions, and drives up costs for Canadian consumers already grappling with inflation. Ford’s strategy ignores the asymmetry of our trade relationship, his failures as an economic steward of Ontario, and risks further economic pain for both Ontarians and all Canadians. The NCC calls on Ford to abandon this bluster and his calls for more bail-out subsidies, and to instead prioritize policies that stabilize prices and protect consumers, not inflame trade disputes.

The proof is in the pudding, and while Carney’s pivot offers a sliver of hope, words are not enough. And the hollowness of the Liberals' spring election strategy won't soon be forgotten, especially by young and working Canadians who are less optimistic about their future than ever. By September, the NCC demands concrete progress: approval of a new pipeline, reject obstruction from Quebec, Indigenous groups, and environmental lobbies stalling vital projects, deliver real economic growth, and fix immigration. Leadership means making tough choices for Canada’s prosperity, not pandering for votes and consensus.

If Carney can deliver results—real projects, real prosperity, real Canadian jobs—he might one day prove worthy of the Prime Minister’s office. Likewise, Ford must focus on Ontario’s economic stability, not political brinkmanship. Canadians deserve pragmatic leadership that prioritizes results over rhetoric. The NCC will hold both Carney and his election partner in all but name to account for delivering the economic relief and growth Canadians urgently need.

Sincerely,

Peter Coleman
President, National Citizens Coalition

Peter Coleman is available for comment at [email protected]