Canadian PM Mark Carney pokes fun at Leafs

A person who lives in Ottawa making fun of the Toronto Maple Leafs? Color me shocked.

While visiting Thunder Bay, Ont., on Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a plan to build and repair 313 VIA Rail passenger cars. He made the declaration at an Alstom facility, the company that will be receiving $4.7 billion to see the operation through.

During his speech, Carney noted how old the current railroad system in Canada is, noting that some of it was built during the Original Six era.

“Canada needs better, more reliable passenger rail,” Carney said. “Our rail cars on our long-distance and remote routes are more than 70 years old. They were built when the NHL had six teams. Goalies wouldn’t wear masks. The Leafs would win the Cup. That’s a long time ago.”

Carney attempted to save himself by stating that better days are coming in Toronto.

“Things are changing, even for the Leafs.”

There have been plenty of changes in Leaf Land. Carney’s quip comes as the Maple Leafs head into the 2026-27 season with many unknowns. The team has a new general manager, John Chayka, a new head coach, Jim Hiller, and former captain Mats Sundin returning to the franchise in a senior advisor role. All are looking to help turn Toronto’s fortunes around after a disastrous 2025-26 campaign, in which the Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Yet, there’s a little bit of optimism around the team. Many expect captain Auston Matthew to have a bounce-back year, with the arrival of rookie Gavin McKenna and two-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky sparking interest heading into the fall.