Mark Carney compares dated VIA Rail train cars to Toronto Maple Leafs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with reporters in Thunder Bay on Thursday to announce the federal government's plan to improve the reliability of VIA Rail service.

That's when Carney couldn't help himself, comparing the dated rail line, which runs rolling stock that's been around for more than 70 years, to a certain NHL team that hasn't won a Stanley Cup in 60 years.

"Our rail cars on our long-distance and remote routes are more than 70 years old," Carney said.

"They were built when the NHL had six teams; goalies wouldn't wear masks, and the Leafs would win the Cup — that's a long time ago."

Carney: "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." pic.twitter.com/av1efaD4Yt

— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson_) September 3, 2026

The Maple Leafs haven't reached the Stanley Cup Final since the 1966-67 season, when they last won it all. Since then, the furthest they've gotten is the Eastern Conference Final on four occasions, failing to break through to the final each time.

The shade toward the Maple Leafs isn't exactly a surprise coming from Carney, who grew up in Edmonton and has said he was an Oilers fan during the glory days of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey.

And now that he's based in Ottawa year-round, the Maple Leafs are an easy target.

Make no mistake Mark Carney is 100% a fan of the @EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/feH6CYfw6N

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) March 10, 2025

The prime minister's hockey background goes way beyond fandom, too. He played growing up and even at the university level, serving as the backup goalie for Harvard University while attending the school.

He even suited up with the Oilers during a practice in March 2025, wearing some old goalie skates and a No. 24 jersey.

Thankfully, Carney has only nine more months to make these jokes about Leafs fans.

Because this is our year.