Ex-central banker to replace Trudeau as Canada's prime minister after winning Liberal Party vote
Share and Follow


TORONTO (AP) — Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada’s next prime minister after the governing Liberal Party elected him its leader Sunday as the country deals with U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threat, and a federal election looms.

Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days. Carney won in a landslide, winning 85.9% of the vote.

Carney navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada and when in 2013 he became the first noncitizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694. His appointment won bipartisan praise in the U.K. after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.

The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged.

Trump’s trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games. Some are canceling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can.

The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party’s chances in a parliamentary election expected within days or weeks, and Liberal showings have been improving steadily in opinion polls.

“We have made this the greatest country in the world and now our neighbors want to take us. No way,” Carney said.

After decades of bilateral stability, the vote on Canada’s next leader now is expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with the United States.

Carney has picked up one endorsement after another from Cabinet ministers and members of Parliament since declaring his candidacy in January. He is a highly educated economist with Wall Street experience who has long been interested in entering politics and becoming prime minister, but he lacks political experience.

The other top Liberal leadership candidate was former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Trudeau told Freeland in December that he no longer wanted her as finance minister, but that she could remain deputy prime minister and the point person for U.S.-Canada relations. Freeland resigned shortly after, releasing a scathing letter about the government that proved to be the last straw for Trudeau.

Carney is expected to trigger an election shortly afterward. Either the new Liberal party leader will call one, or the opposition parties in Parliament could force one with a no-confidence vote later this month.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

New Incentive: DHS Increases Self-Deportation Bonus for Migrants

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now providing a significant incentive…

Track Santa’s Sleigh: Follow His Magical Journey Around the World

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As the festive season approaches, Santa Claus is…

Jim Beam Shuts Down Iconic Kentucky Distillery for a Year: Tariffs and Demand Slump to Blame

Jim Beam, a renowned name in bourbon production, is set to temporarily…

Teutopolis Train and Dump Truck Collision: Driver Hospitalized Following Serious Accident

TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WCIA) — A dump truck driver found himself hospitalized after…

Young Mattoon Prodigy Crafts NFL QB’s Charity Cleat Design: A Heartwarming Tale

MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — An inspiring young artist from Mattoon is making…

Sudan’s PM Advocates Peace at UN Amid US Pressure for Immediate Humanitarian Truce

TANZANIA – In a bid to bring an end to the prolonged…

Twenty-one Democrat-led states file lawsuit against White House concerning funding for Consumer Protection Bureau

NEW YORK – On Monday, a group of 21 attorneys general from…

Unraveling Atmospheric Rivers: Understanding Their Impact and Significance in Modern Weather Patterns

Atmospheric rivers are remarkable streams of moisture high in the sky, capable…