PM Carney risks trouble without loyal ‘palace guard,’ say political players

Every new prime minister eventually faces turbulence, and that’s when a strong and trusted palace guard is ‘essential,’ says political historian and former Liberal MP John English. But at a critical time in Canadian history, Carney’s team is going to have to learn fast.

Like his predecessors, Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on Oct. 8, 2025, on Parliament Hill, needs a loyal ‘palace guard’ within his office who can watch his back when, as with every government, controversy inevitably arises, say veteran political observers.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY ABBAS RANA

October 13, 2025

Like other prime ministers before him, Mark Carney needs a loyal ‘palace guard’ within his office—a core team of trusted allies who can watch his back when, as with every government, controversy inevitably arises, say seasoned political observers.

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