A major conservative figure from the United States, Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, is set to speak to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet in a private session on Thursday. Roberts is known as the architect behind Project 2025, a controversial policy plan aimed at drastically changing the U.S. government. This meeting comes as Carney and his ministers hold two days of cabinet meetings in the Greater Toronto Area before the fall parliamentary sitting.
Who is Kevin Roberts and the Heritage Foundation?
Kevin Roberts is the president of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that has influenced Republican administrations since the 1980s. The organization is widely known for shaping policies that reflect conservative values in America.
The Heritage Foundation is the group behind Project 2025, a 900-page document that outlines a vision for a far-right conservative government in the U.S., supported by more than 100 organizations with similar political views.
What is Project 2025?
Project 2025 has four main goals:
Restore the family as the center of American life – emphasizing traditional family structures.
Dismantle the administrative state – reducing the size and influence of government institutions.
Defend national sovereignty and borders – focusing on strict immigration control and national security.
Secure individual rights – protecting what the authors describe as God-given rights and personal liberty.
Some of its more controversial ideas include:
Firing thousands of permanent civil servants and replacing them with politically loyal staff.
Abolishing the Department of Education, which handles national education policy.
Withdrawing the abortion pill mifepristone from the market.
A strong stance on married men and women as the ideal family structure, arguing children should be raised by their biological parents.
Critics have called Project 2025 an authoritarian playbook and a far-right assault on America, claiming it would concentrate too much power in the executive branch and roll back civil rights protections.
Kevin Roberts and Project 2025 in U.S. Politics
Roberts has said that the United States is experiencing a “second American Revolution”, which he claims will remain bloodless if the political left does not interfere. The project was drafted before Donald Trump won the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election. During his campaign, Trump distanced himself from Project 2025. However, many of the plan’s authors have since joined his administration, and some of Trump’s policies reflect Project 2025’s goals, including:
Reducing the size of government departments
Stricter immigration controls
Using executive power to target political opponents
Roberts has also written a book titled Dawn's Early Light: Taking Back Washington to Save America, which includes a foreword by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a prominent conservative figure.
Why is Kevin Roberts Meeting PM Carney’s Cabinet?
Kevin Roberts is speaking to Carney’s cabinet during a session called “establishing a new economic and security relationship with the U.S.” Other guest speakers include Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the U.S.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said Roberts will provide insight on U.S. trade issues and the Trump administration’s priorities. This is particularly relevant as Canada prepares for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review next year. Understanding the American perspective, including possible future U.S. policies, is considered valuable for Canadian cabinet ministers.
Other Speakers and Discussions
Besides Kevin Roberts, the cabinet sessions include presentations from:
Jean-Marc Léger, a pollster, who will discuss public opinion and the mood of Canadians.
Jean-François Perrault of Scotiabank, providing an economic outlook.
Private sector leaders, including those from artificial intelligence-focused venture capital firms, sharing insights on innovation and business trends.
These discussions aim to prepare Carney’s cabinet for informed decision-making on trade, security, and economic policies.
U.S. Presidential Election and Project 2025
Project 2025 is expected to be a topic of discussion during the 2024 U.S. presidential election. While Trump has not fully endorsed the plan, its influence is evident in some of his recent executive actions. Experts and policy analysts are closely watching its proposals, as they could significantly reshape the American political and administrative landscape.
Why This Matters for Canada
For Canada, understanding Project 2025 is important because it could affect:
Trade relations with the United States – knowing how the U.S. might approach tariffs, trade policies, and agreements like CUSMA.
Security cooperation – understanding potential changes in U.S. border policies and defense priorities.
Economic planning – preparing for possible shifts in U.S. regulation and financial markets.
The Canadian cabinet sees value in hearing directly from someone like Roberts, who has a detailed understanding of the U.S. administration’s playbook.
Criticism and Controversy
Project 2025 has drawn criticism both in the U.S. and internationally. Critics argue that it represents:
Authoritarianism – concentrating power and limiting civil service independence
Far-right ideology – prioritizing conservative social and religious values over diverse perspectives
Potential disruption of institutions – with proposals to abolish major government departments and replace civil servants with loyalists
Supporters, however, view it as a roadmap for revitalizing American society, strengthening family values, and restoring what they see as the country’s traditional principles.
Kevin Roberts’ session with Prime Minister Carney’s cabinet provides an opportunity for Canadian leaders to understand the U.S. political landscape, especially as it relates to trade, security, and upcoming policy changes. Project 2025, while controversial, offers insight into the potential direction of American governance under a conservative agenda.
The Canadian government aims to use this knowledge to better prepare for discussions on CUSMA, trade policies, and international relations, ensuring Canada remains informed and proactive in navigating its relationship with its southern neighbor.
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