Prime Minister Mark Carney takes stage at TIFF’s opening night, honours John Candy

TIFF marks 50 years and Festival Street marks 10 years with a Walk of Fame star, plus a John Candy documentary produced by Ryan Reynolds.

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the Toronto International Film Festival “a testament to part of what makes Canada unique” as he helped kick off its 50th edition on Thursday.

Carney took the stage to applause ahead of the screening of opening-night film “John Candy: I Like Me,” a documentary celebrating the late Canadian comedian.

He joked he was there to “take credit” for the Trudeau government’s financial commitments to TIFF, before saying he was there to reinforce those commitments.

Last year, the Liberal government announced it was investing $23 million in TIFF’s content market initiative.

Carney also went on to pay tribute to Candy, saying the film exemplified important Canadian values like tolerance, generosity and humility.

He said that in “a more dangerous, divided and intolerant world,” when Canadians feel threatened, they channel their inner John Candy.

“Canada is a story whose best chapters are yet to be written, not least because we’re a country that welcomes the world’s storytellers,” said Carney.

“TIFF at 50 is just starting out.”

TIFF runs through Sept. 14.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2025.

By Alex Nino Gheciu