Canadian Liberal Party elects Mark Carney to replace Justin Trudeau
Agencies
10/03/2025
Mark Carney has been elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada after a high-stakes months-long race to replace Justin Trudeau.
OTTAWA: Former Central Bank Governor Mark Carney won the election to lead the Liberal Party of Canada and will replace Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister
Carney will take the helm at a challenging time for Canada, which is now facing a trade war with its longtime ally, the United States (US).
He is expected to lead the party in the next federal election – which must be held before October or could be held earlier – in which he is likely to face stiff competition from the Conservative Party, which is currently leading in the polls. While Carney will take over immediately as leader of the Liberal Party, Trudeau will remain as Prime Minister of Canada for an unannounced transition period to allow his successor to adjust.
One of the most pressing issues Carney needs to address is the increasingly strained Canada-United States (US) relationship.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed Canada for illegal immigrants to the U.S., threatening to make Canada the 51st state, as well as imposing high tariffs on imports
Canada, which the White House says is needed to curb the flow of fentanyl to the US border.
These tensions have had an impact on Canadian society, with supporters at NHL and NBA games in Canada reportedly mocking the US national anthem.
Carney will now face the leader of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, who was previously compared to Trump but is now trying to distance himself from the US leader.
At a press conference earlier this week, Poilievre stressed that he was "not a MAGA."
At a rally on Sunday before the Liberal Party vote, Poilievre criticized Carney, who is a former Governor of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada, describing him as a leader who was not ready to face Trump.
"While working for Trudeau, Carney weakened and impoverished Canada; while working for himself, Carney made the United States richer and stronger," Poilievre said.
In recent weeks, the Conservative Party's lead in the polls has narrowed as Trudeau, Carney, and other Liberal Party leaders have taken a firm stand on the trade dispute with the US.
Trudeau has led the Liberal Party for over a decade.
He brought the party to power in 2015 with a promise of a "bright way" for Canada and was re-elected twice, the last time in 2021, where he retained power but lost a ruling majority.
Trudeau's resignation comes after several political crises, growing economic discontent and the sudden resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland – who are also vying to succeed him. - Agency
