Hundreds of residents gathered Friday evening at Sassy Britches Brewing Co. in Brantford to hear Liberal Leader Mark Carney deliver a campaign speech during a stop in the newly reconfigured federal riding of Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations.
Carney was introduced by Liberal candidate Joy O’Donnell, who opened the evening by welcoming the crowd in English, French, Mohawk, Cayuga, and Ojibwe.
“We are standing here in a very historical spot,” she said, referencing the site’s history as a twine factory in 1901 and Brantford’s longstanding legacy as a centre for manufacturing innovation. “We are ready to build a new economy with you,” she added.
The event was held in the “new riding” created following recent federal boundary changes, with areas such as St. George and Paris now part of Brant—Flamborough—North Dumfries.
In his remarks, Carney described the upcoming federal election as “the most consequential of our lifetime,” warning of rising tensions with the United States. He accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of threatening Canada’s sovereignty and economic independence.
“America — more specifically Donald Trump — wants to break us so America can own us,” Carney said. “They want our land, our water, our resources. Canada is not for sale. It’s not America — never was, never will be.”
Carney pledged that under Liberal leadership, Canada would move to reduce dependence on American energy and build new international partnerships. He also emphasized the importance of building “millions of homes” more affordably, using Canadian lumber and labour, while establishing a clean energy industry as part of what he called a “new energy superpower.”
“This is a crisis,” Carney said. “Hope is not a strategy. We are going to build this country like it’s never been built.”
Several Indigenous leaders were acknowledged during the event, including elected Chief Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and representatives from Six Nations of the Grand River.
Following the rally, O’Donnell told BrantBlog the visit gave her campaign “the boost we need to take it over the line to the win.”
A financial advisor by profession, O’Donnell entered the race after Carney became Liberal leader. “I looked to him for guidance in 2008 during the financial crisis,” she said. “When I saw him become Prime Minister, I said, that’s someone I can get behind.”
O’Donnell named international trade, home affordability, the opioid crisis, and truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities among her top priorities.
“Our community struggles with opioid addiction and housing. But we also can’t forget truth and reconciliation, and building strong partnerships with Six Nations and the Mississaugas of the Credit,” she said.
As for campaign challenges ahead of the April 28 election, O’Donnell pointed to the learning curve. “It’s like drinking from a fire hose,” she said. “But I intend to get up to speed as quickly as possible.”
The full Liberal platform is expected to be released Saturday.
