John Ivison: Has Mark Carney peaked? The curse of the Rolling Stone would say so

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNP Comment John Ivison: Has Mark Carney peaked? The curse of the Rolling Stone would say so The messy business of governing is sure to bring the PM back to earth Author of the article: By John Ivison Published Sep 21, 2026 5 minute read Join the conversation Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. PHOTO BY HYUNGCHEOL PARK/POSTMEDIA Article content This is probably as good as it gets for Mark Carney, if the curse of Rolling Stone holds true. Article content The prime minister was lauded for his “genius-level instincts” in a recent profile in the magazine, under the headline: “How Mark Carney Became Leader of the Free World by Standing Up to Trump.” Article content RECOMMENDED VIDEOS Article content There was more breathless prose about Canada being “an underdog, bad-ass, outlaw nation.” Article content Article content But it was a reminder that such those who the gods wish to destroy, they first put on the cover of Rolling Stone. Article content Channel Israel Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content In July 2017, Justin Trudeau was at 43 per cent support in the polls when he was profiled. “Why Can’t He Be Our President?”, ran the headline. “Is the Canadian Prime Minister the Free World’s Best Hope?” Article content It quickly became apparent that whatever the question was, Justin Trudeau was not the answer and his popularity at home dived. Article content Similarly, Carney has appeared weightless to this point but discontent is as fundamental a property of politics as gravitational pull is on mass. Sooner or later, he will come down to earth with a bump – quite possibly because he has decided to expend some of the political capital he has accumulated. Article content That certainly seems to be the case when it comes to the new legislation aimed at reducing the days and hours lost to labour disputes. Unions like Unifor backed the Liberals in 2025, but their patience will be stretched by a law aimed at limiting the right to strike. Article content Carney’s iconic image as the leader of the…