SNELL: Carney supports 'emergency powers' in US trade war — stoking fears of delayed election

Niccolò Machiavelli once said, "Never waste the opportunity offered by a good crisis."

The comment could be a line in the Liberals' playbook given Canada's recent history.

At a campaign event, Mark Carney, who is on the cusp of becoming Canada's next prime minister going into a federal election, said he supports the use of "emergency powers" to fight back against the Americans in a trade war.

"(Something) my government is going to do is use all of the powers of the federal government, including the emergency powers of the federal government, to accelerate the major projects that we need in order to build this economy and take on the Americans."

Carney's comment has created a firestorm of controversy online — some fear he may use emergency powers, justified by a trade war crisis, to manipulate a positive political outcome for himself and the Liberal Party of Canada.

The last time a Liberal leader and prime minister used emergency powers, during the COVID-19 Freedom Convoy, it didn't end well. Citizens Charter rights to expression were violated. Bank accounts and assets were frozen without due process.

Mark Carney was an economic advisor to Prime Minster Justin Trudeau at the time.

Attendees at Carney's recent campaign meeting, who clapped over the emergency powers comment, are either stupid or forgetful.

The idea of Mark Carney wielding emergency powers when he becomes Liberal leader has fuelled speculation that he will delay the next federal election into 2026.

Section 4(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms stipulates that no House of Commons or legislative assembly shall continue for longer than five years from the date fixed for the return of the writs at a general election of its members.

Special circumstances — Section 4(2) provides an exception where, in times of "real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection," Parliament or a legislative assembly may be continued beyond five years.

Does an economic war with the U.S. and widespread economic stagnation qualify as real or apprehended war?

Only time will tell.