Former central banker favoured to replace Trudeau as Canada PM
OTTAWA: Canada's Liberal Party appeared set on Sunday to select a former central banker and political novice as its next leader, replacing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as it faces challenges from US President Donald Trump.
Mark Carney, who previously served as Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, is widely expected to be named the new Liberal leader when results from a vote of approximately 400,000 party members are announced later on Sunday.
The main rival is Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau's former Deputy Prime Minister, who held several senior cabinet roles in the Liberal government first elected in 2015.
Whoever wins the leadership contest will succeed Trudeau as prime minister but will soon face a general election, with polls currently showing the rival Conservative Party as slight favourites to win.
Carney has garnered endorsements from much of Trudeau's cabinet, and a victory for Freeland would be a surprising outcome for the Liberals as they prepare for the general election. Despite breaking with the prime minister in December, analysts suggest voters still associate Freeland with Trudeau's unpopular record.
Both Carney and Freeland have asserted that they are the best candidates to defend Canada against Trump's actions. The US president has repeatedly spoken about annexing Canada and has disrupted bilateral trade — the backbone of the Canadian economy — with erratic tariff measures since taking office.
A serious crisis
Carney has positioned himself as an experienced economic manager, reminding voters of his leadership during the 2008-2009 financial crisis as Governor of the Bank of Canada and his guidance of the Bank of England through the post-Brexit turbulence in 2016.
"Trump is attacking what we build. He is attacking what we sell. He is attacking how we earn our living," Carney told supporters at a campaign rally near Toronto on Friday. "We are facing the most serious crisis in our lifetime. Everything in my life has prepared me for this moment," he added.
Data released by the Angus Reid polling firm on Wednesday indicates that Canadians view Carney as the preferred choice to confront Trump, a perception that could provide the Liberals with an advantage over the opposition Conservatives. Forty-three per cent of respondents said they trusted Carney the most to handle Trump, compared to 34 per cent who backed Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
However, most polls still list the Conservatives as the current favourites to win the election, which must be held by October but could occur within weeks.
Not a politician?
Carney amassed significant wealth as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs before joining the Canadian civil service. Since leaving the Bank of England in 2020, he has served as a United Nations envoy promoting private sector investment in climate-friendly technology and has taken on private sector roles. However, he has never served in parliament or held elected office.
Analysts warn that Carney's untested campaign skills could be a liability against a Conservative Party already running attack adverts accusing him of shifting positions and misrepresenting his experience.
The 59-year-old has presented himself as a fresh voice untainted by Trudeau, whom he has criticised for neglecting economic development. On Friday, Carney said Canadians "from coast to coast" were seeking change and described himself as a political outsider. "It's getting to the point where after two months, I may have to start calling myself a politician," he joked.
Trudeau stated that he would facilitate a transition of power once the new Liberal leader was chosen, though he had not provided a specific date. When ready, Trudeau and the new leader will meet Canada's Governor General, Mary Simon — King Charles III's official representative in Canada — who will formally invite the new Liberal leader to form a government.
The new prime minister may only hold office for a few weeks, depending on the timing and outcome of the impending election.
By RSS/AFP
