Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to arrive in Kelowna, British Columbia, on Tuesday for a visit to a local lumber facility. His stop in the Okanagan follows a weekend of public and military events across the province.
Carney began the week with a tour of a Canadian Forces test site near Nanoose Bay, located just outside Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. He visited the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges, where he was shown naval operations and equipment.
During the visit, Carney boarded the Royal Canadian Navy vessel Sikanni. He was joined by Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee and Commanding Officer Craig Piccolo, who led the tour and explained the facility’s operations.
Earlier in the weekend, Carney made a surprise appearance at the Vancouver Pride parade. The Prime Minister walked part of the route and was welcomed by cheering crowds in downtown Vancouver. Many parade-goers were excited to see him take part in the celebration.
On Sunday, Carney also met with British Columbia Premier David Eby. The meeting was held behind closed doors, and no media were allowed. While details were not shared, the visit was part of a broader outreach tour by the federal government. The Prime Minister also met with leaders from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority the same day.
The highlight of Carney’s visit will be Tuesday’s appearance at a lumber facility in Kelowna. His trip to the heart of B.C.’s forestry region comes at a tense moment in trade talks with the United States.
Recently, the U.S. government imposed new anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber. These duties are part of a long-running dispute over pricing and market access. The B.C. Council of Forest Industries has strongly criticized the move, calling the tariffs “unjustified and punitive trade actions.”
Industry leaders and local officials hope Carney’s visit will show federal support for workers and businesses impacted by the trade dispute. The forestry sector is a major part of the B.C. economy, especially in communities like Kelowna.
While no formal statement has been made about the purpose of the Kelowna visit, many observers believe Carney will use the opportunity to address the growing concerns around softwood lumber exports.
The softwood lumber disagreement between Canada and the U.S. has lasted for decades. It centers on the claim that Canadian lumber producers are unfairly subsidized, allowing them to sell at lower prices in the U.S. market. Canada denies these claims and has repeatedly fought the duties through legal channels, including the World Trade Organization and NAFTA’s successor, the USMCA.
Carney’s schedule this week highlights both national and local concerns. His stops at military and port facilities show a focus on defense and trade. Meanwhile, his visit to the lumber facility reflects his government’s attention to the challenges facing rural economies and resource-based industries.
As Carney wraps up his B.C. tour, the attention now turns to what messages or policy steps may come next. His presence in Kelowna is expected to bring media focus and community interest. It may also signal future actions from the federal government to support B.C.’s forestry sector in a time of growing pressure from U.S. trade policy.
