Prime Minister Mark Carney says lesson for Canada in Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series bid

Prime Minister Mark Carney says there’s a lesson for Canada in the Toronto Blue Jays’ bid for a World Series title against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Speaking to reporters in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Saturday, Carney praised the Blue Jays for taking risks and staying aggressive against the defending champions.

He says “you don’t need the big payroll” and “you don’t need to be the big American team to win the World Series.”

The Jays haven’t taken home the pennant since 1993.

The seven-game series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers is tied 3-3, with the winner of tonight’s game taking home the World Series title.

Carney has wrapped his first official visit to Asia, and his minority government is set to present a federal budget Tuesday that is expected to increase spending in economic infrastructure while cutting back in several departments.

In earlier comments, Carney also said he apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump for an anti-tariff ad that has been blamed for ending trade talks with the United States.

When asked about the Blue Jays, Carney praised the team for its performance and willingness to take risks.

“It doesn’t always work out sometimes, you know — you put someone on the mound or you pinch hit or pinch run for somebody and it doesn’t work out but they take risk. They’re aggressive and they’re a team,” said Carney, admitting he snuck a look at his phone during a session at the APEC summit to catch part of Game 6.

“You don’t need all the payroll. You don’t need to be the big American team to win the World Series,” he said.

“Our Canada is taking risks and we are a team (and) we are Canada strong.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2025.