‘Serious issue, all lessons must be taken’: Carney criticises White House over sensitive military leak

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday criticised the White House after sensitive US military plans were inadvertently shared with a journalist through Signal.

According to a Politico report, Carney emphasised that the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network — comprising Canada, the US, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand — must take lessons from this intelligence leak, which took place when Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly included in a private message chain regarding US plans to bomb Yemen.

“When mistakes happen, and sensitive intelligence leaks, lessons must be learned to prevent that from recurring,” Politico quoted Carney as saying in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when asked about the fallout from the chat that discussed upcoming air strikes.

“It’s a serious, serious issue, and all lessons must be taken,” he added.

Carney made these remarks during a campaign stop on the second day of Canada’s federal election in late April.

“We have a very strong intelligence partnership with the Americans through Five Eyes. Mistakes do happen, but what’s important is how people react to those mistakes,” he was quoted as saying.

“They don’t deny the mistakes; that they are clear and transparent in addressing them,” he added.

The Atlantic’s report, which was published on Monday, shocked national security officials and members of Congress.

Later, Politico reported that Mike Waltz, the National Security Adviser, might be the scapegoat within the White House, although US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Waltz during an NBC News interview on Tuesday morning.

Carney’s remarks come as Canada-US relations face significant strain, with Trump threatening tariffs and suggesting the possibility of annexing Canada as the 51st state.

Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader and prime minister on March 9, has yet to speak directly with Trump. He said he would only engage with the president if he demonstrates respect for Canadian sovereignty.

With inputs from agencies