Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney—widely recognized for his polished, banker-like persona—traded boardrooms for the barnyard Friday evening as he toured the Calgary Stampede in full western flair.
Sporting a cream cowboy hat, navy blazer, and dark jeans, Carney spent over an hour winding through the bustling rodeo grounds. He climbed into a tank, sampled local treats like mini doughnuts and pretzels, and posed for dozens of selfies with festivalgoers during his debut Stampede appearance as prime minister. “We gotta see some chuckwagons, huh,” Carney remarked with a smile as he strolled along the Midway, surrounded by security and cameras en route to the grandstand for the evening’s chuckwagon races. The Stampede is a well-worn tradition for Canadian prime ministers across party lines, though attendance isn’t always a given. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau skipped last year’s event amid slumping poll numbers. Now, a year later, the Liberals have regained momentum, securing a minority government under Carney’s leadership. The party also defied expectations by winning two seats in Alberta—a province long seen as a conservative stronghold.While Carney embraced the western spirit with his outfit, he skipped the cowboy boots and belt buckle, opting instead for brown sneakers and a slim belt.
Nonetheless, he was warmly received, shaking hands and taking photos with both visitors and food stand workers along the way.
