Former central banker Mark Carney is set to become Canada’s next prime minister after winning the Liberal Party leadership vote in a landslide, securing 85.9% of the vote. His leadership comes at a critical moment as Canada faces escalating trade tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump and growing nationalist sentiment at home.
Carney, 59, replaces Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until Carney is sworn in.
Carney is widely respected for his economic expertise, having led the Bank of Canada through the 2008 financial crisis and later becoming the first non-Briton to govern the Bank of England in 2013. His tenure in both institutions earned him praise for crisis management and financial stability.
His political rise comes amid Trump’s trade war and provocative remarks about annexing Canada, which have fueled anti-American sentiment. Canadian crowds are booing the U.S. national anthem at sporting events, avoiding American goods, and canceling travel plans south. The resulting surge in nationalism has boosted the Liberal Party’s standing ahead of an anticipated federal election.
Carney, who lacks elected political experience, has nonetheless gained strong endorsements from Cabinet ministers and MPs. The opposition Conservatives had hoped to center the election on Trudeau’s unpopularity, but Carney’s entry shifts the focus to who can best handle U.S.-Canada relations. An election could be called within days or weeks.
