The Liberal Party of Canada, led by current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, chose Mark Carney, former governor of the central banks of Canada and England, a technocrat with no political experience in his long career, as the new leader, prime minister, and candidate for the upcoming elections to be held later this year, with a date yet to be defined.
Carney not only takes on the challenge of trying to keep the party in power, which seemed moribund a few months ago, but also of leading the country, if current estimates hold, amid an unprecedented crisis, not only internal but also with the United States, its neighbor and until recently a partner and ally.
Trudeau is expected to remain in office for just a few more days to facilitate the transition before the new Liberal leader, who does not have a seat in Parliament, assumes office as the 24th prime minister of the country since its inception in 1867. It will be the first time a leader does not have a seat in the chamber since 1984 when John Turner won the leadership of the Liberal Party, succeeding curiously Trudeau's father, Pierre Trudeau.
Mark Carney, 59, who led the Bank of Canada during the global financial crisis of 2008 and the Bank of England during Brexit, overwhelmingly won the primaries with almost 90% of the over 150,000 votes cast. Among the four contenders, he was the favorite almost from the beginning, but his victory was decisive against his friend Chrystia Freeland, the Finance Minister who resigned last December and triggered the government's fall mainly due to disagreements with Trudeau on how to handle Donald Trump's constant attacks. Not only in terms of trade but also with insults and increasingly concerning messages about annexation to make the country the 51st state.
Carney is ready to defend his country, and he does not shy away from sports references. "We did not ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when the gloves come off. Let the Americans not be mistaken: in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win," he declared in his victory speech. "Donald Trump is attacking Canadian families, workers, and businesses, and we cannot allow him to succeed, and we will not [...] The United States is not Canada. Canada will never, ever be part of the United States in any way," Carney reiterated in his acceptance speech on Sunday night. An idea, a message, a slogan that has become crucial during the campaign and has boosted him in the polls, both internal and national. "I am ready to give my all for Canada," he assured.
During his over half-hour speech in Ottawa, the new Liberal leader extensively discussed the challenges facing the country with Trump back in the White House and indicated that he believes the president's threat to annex Canada is credible. "Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country", he stated. "If they get it, they will destroy our way of life." Consequently, he explained, the initial tariffs of 30 billion Canadian dollars on imports crossing their border will remain in place until "the Americans show us some respect."
Trudeau announced his resignation in January after 10 years in office, having lost the party's confidence, which saw it almost impossible to stay in government due to rising living costs and housing. Carney, an experienced economist, is a risky choice. In 2009, the Liberals then bet on Michael Ignatieff, a respected professor and academic of great renown in the United States or the United Kingdom, and his defeat was overwhelming. Now they are once again entrusting someone from the outside, although their profile is different, having led institutions with significant political weight, despite being technical.
"In a situation like this, crisis management experience is needed, negotiation skills are needed. And I have that experience," he repeated in recent weeks in interviews, rallies, and debates with his rivals. "It's not the outcome I expected, but I congratulate Mark on his victory. This campaign has brought fresh ideas, renewed energy, and strengthened our unity. You have my full support," Freeland said in a statement.
Now it is also up to him to set a date for the elections, which can be postponed at most until October 20. Some analysts believe he needs all the time possible to establish a name nationwide and make himself known, while others within his party believe he should seize the current moment, with the pressure from Trump and the statements that have made him famous. If he does not call them quickly, the opposition could force them with a vote of confidence in the coming weeks.
A few months ago, the polls looked very bad for the Liberals, thanks to the resurgence of the Conservative Party. Trudeau announced in the first week of January that he would extend the Parliament's mandate until March 24 to give the party time to choose a new leader, after which he would resign, ending an era of almost 12 years.
In recent weeks, the rise of a certain nationalist sentiment, in response to Trump, has changed everything. Carney's great asset is his reputation, as he is credited with keeping the money flowing during the Great Recession by acting quickly to lower interest rates to their lowest level in history and working with the financial sector to keep loan levels as high as possible during the crisis.
The Liberal Party, but especially Carney in particular, has benefited from the new geopolitical reality. According to the latest data from the Angus Reid Institute, 43% of Canadians believe the former central banker would be the best rival to Trump, compared to 34% who lean towards the conservative Pierre Poilievre. Largely because the Liberals have managed to convey the idea that conservatives sympathize to a large extent with Trump's protectionist agenda.
"In December, people were writing off our Liberal Party, but tonight, we all know that we can, we must, and we will defeat Pierre Poilievre and his MAGA [Make America Great Again] campaign with maple syrup," mocked former minister and deputy prime minister Freedland of her main rivals during the night.