OTTAWA, Canada (Diya TV) — Mark Carney, a veteran economist and ex-central banker, has been voted leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, replacing Justin Trudeau as prime minister. Carney won in a landslide with 86% of the vote, beating former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Carney, 59, is an economic expert with plenty of experience in finance. He was once a governor at both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, winning praise for his role in navigating the 2008 financial crisis and the Brexit shift.
During his victory speech, Carney spoke of the rising trade tensions with the United States, denouncing President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs on Canadian imports and brushing aside talk of annexing Canada as the 51st state. He reasserted Canada’s sovereignty, saying, “Canada will never be part of America,” and promised to keep retaliatory tariffs in place until the U.S. shows respect for free trade agreements.
Carney’s accession comes at a critical juncture, with a general election required by October 20. Opinion polls predict a close contest between the Liberals and Conservatives. Carney is likely to hold an election soon and run for a seat in parliament.
Trudeau, the Liberal Party leader since 2013 and prime minister since 2015, resigned due to waning popularity and party internal disagreements. In his valedictory speech, he praised the robustness of Canada and was proud of his achievements, such as progress in social policies and foreign affairs.
Carney’s ascent marks the first time a political outsider has become Canadian prime minister. His tenure will focus on navigating strained U.S.-Canada relations, addressing economic challenges, and preparing the Liberal Party for the upcoming election. His economic acumen and international experience are anticipated to play pivotal roles in shaping Canada’s domestic and foreign policies in the coming years.
