Progressives Meet in Toronto to Analyze Mark Carney’s Canadian Election Win

The most important thing is delivery of services and governance to people. The environmental movement, in general, needs to adjust, and say: ‘We can’t just be about stopping things,’” Slotkin told Semafor. Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress and former director of the Biden White House’s domestic policy council, said the conference participants recognized the urgency of early wins.

Evan Solomon, Canada’s minister for AI and digital transformation, offered a blunt assessment. “Progressives are in the ‘prove it’ business now,” he said at the conference. Solomon added that the challenge was winning “people who are disenfranchised and turning to populist right-wing movements, because they think when they ask us for something, they get a lecture, not an affordable house.

The UK Labour Party provided a cautionary tale. It won a landslide victory in the 2024 general election but was defeated in local elections in May 2026 by newer parties of the far right and far left. Conference attendees expressed optimism about Democratic chances in the US November 2026 midterms due to unpopularity of the Trump administration.

Anita Anand, Canada’s foreign minister, pointed to trade strategies amid shifting American policy. “When there is a retreat towards protectionism by the United States, we need to ensure we’re de-risking. And we do that by trade diversification,” Anand said.

Pete Buttigieg, who also attended the summit, suggested Democrats focus on straightforward legislation. He proposed “clean bills” on “higher wages,” “universal health insurance coverage,” and paid leave for families. ” Semafor reported that the element of Carney’s approach that resonated most with some attendees was his speed in shifting policy and convincing voters his government was delivering for them.

The gathering reflected a broader reassessment among progressives of how to regain working-class support after recent electoral setbacks.