‘He still cheers for the Oilers’: Can Prime Minister Mark Carney mend ties with Western Canada?

(Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

Canada has found rare common ground in the face of the U.S. trade war — offering Prime Minister Mark Carney a unique chance to unite the country.

When Alberta and Saskatchewan aren’t clashing with the rest of Canada, the path to unity is smoother, according to Daniel Westlake, an assistant professor of political studies.

“But that’s only going to last so long,” Westlake told CTV News in his office at the University of Saskatchewan.

Once conversations about pipelines and climate change overshadow tariffs, Carney will likely face a challenge, Westlake said.

“When the trickier issues emerge, holding the country together is going to be harder,” Westlake said.

The Conservatives dominated Saskatchewan, securing 13 of its 14 seats, and 34 out of 37 seats in Alberta.

Mark Carney explains why he visited Saskatoon twice

In an unexpected move on the eve of the election, Carney made a campaign stop in Saskatoon — a region where the Liberals haven’t held a seat since 1993. That year, voters Saskatoon-Dundurn and Saskatoon-Humboldt each sent Liberals to Ottawa.

“During this short campaign, I went to Saskatchewan and Alberta a couple of times. Even though, you know, we’re Liberals — it’s tough out there,” Carney said, evoking a laugh during his victory speech.

“But I went because I intend to govern for all Canadians.”

While visiting Saskatoon, Carney told his supporters he met with Premier Scott Moe. The comment was met with booing.

“Hey! We’re all in this together, we gotta work together,” Carney said, during his second campaign stop in Saskatoon.

Greg Poelzer, a Liberal candidate who was defeated in the Saskatoon-University riding, expects Carney to make more visits to Saskatchewan.

“He understands Western Canada because he is Western Canada,” Poelzer said.

Carney was born in the Northwest Territories and grew up in Edmonton.

Premier Scott Moe reacts to Liberal win

CTV News asked Premier Scott Moe if he believes Carney is in tune with Western Canadian issues.

“He still cheers for the Oilers, that would be a net positive,” Moe responded.

Moe said he’s hopeful, pointing to Carney’s comments about building “Canada into an energy superpower.”

“That’s great to hear, but those are nothing but words. And I would say, and I’ve said it many times: policies truly do matter,” Moe told journalists the day after the election.

Moe invited Carney to Saskatchewan.

“We would love to host him to chart a productive path forward for our province, within the nation of Canada,” Moe said.