Ex-central banker to replace Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister after winning Liberal Party vote
Ex-central banker to replace Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister after winning Liberal Party vote
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his speech after being announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his speech after being announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his speech after being announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Newly appointed Liberal Leader Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney leave the stage following his speech at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Newly appointed Liberal Leader Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney leave the stage following his speech at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney speaks following the announcement of his win at the party’s announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney speaks following the announcement of his win at the party’s announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney delivers a speech as he’s introduced during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney delivers a speech as he’s introduced during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Chrystia Freeland listens to Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, not shown, speak after he was announced the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Chrystia Freeland listens to Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, not shown, speak after he was announced the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney is joined by his wife Diana Fox Carney after winning the party’s leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney is joined by his wife Diana Fox Carney after winning the party’s leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Cleo Carney, daughter of Mark Carney, introduces her father after he was announced as the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Cleo Carney, daughter of Mark Carney, introduces her father after he was announced as the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney, right, speaks to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after Carney was announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney, right, speaks to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after Carney was announced as the winner of the party leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, speaks after being announced the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, speaks after being announced the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cheers as Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his victory speech during the the Liberal leadership announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cheers as Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney delivers his victory speech during the the Liberal leadership announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney delivers a speech as he’s introduced during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney delivers a speech as he’s introduced during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney looks on during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney looks on during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney waves to attendees after winning the party’s leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney waves to attendees after winning the party’s leadership at the announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Chrystia Freeland listens to the speech of Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, not shown, at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Chrystia Freeland listens to the speech of Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, not shown, at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concludes his remarks at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concludes his remarks at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks as his daughter Ella-Grace after she introduced him, at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks as his daughter Ella-Grace after she introduced him, at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is greeted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, as he arrives to the Securing our Future Summit on Ukraine and European security at Lancaster House in London, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is greeted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, as he arrives to the Securing our Future Summit on Ukraine and European security at Lancaster House in London, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Mark Carney speaks during his Liberal leadership campaign launch in Edmonton, Jan. 16, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Mark Carney speaks during his Liberal leadership campaign launch in Edmonton, Jan. 16, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Final preparations are made for the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Final preparations are made for the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa on Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation as Liberal leader and prime minister outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Jan. 6, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation as Liberal leader and prime minister outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Jan. 6, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney addresses supporters in Calgary, Alberta, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney addresses supporters in Calgary, Alberta, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)
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.
“There is someone who is trying to weaken our economy,” Carney said. “Donald Trump, as we know, has put unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell and how we make a living. He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses and we cannot let him succeed and we won’t.”
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney speaks following the announcement of his win at the party’s announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada Leader Mark Carney speaks following the announcement of his win at the party’s announcement event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Carney said Canada will keep retaliatory tariffs in place until “the Americans show us respect.”
“We didn’t ask for this fight. But Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves,” Carney said. “The Americans, they should make no mistake, in trade, as in hockey, Canada will win.”
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.
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney delivers a speech as he’s introduced during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Mark Carney delivers a speech as he’s introduced during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
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.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
“The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country. Think about it. If they succeed they would destroy our way of life,” Carney said. “In America health care is big business. In Canada it is a right.”
Carney said America is “a melting pot. Canada is mosaic,” he said. “America is not Canada. And Canada will never, ever will be a part of America in any way, shape or form.”
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.
Newly appointed Liberal Leader Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney leave the stage following his speech at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Newly appointed Liberal Leader Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney leave the stage following his speech at the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
“These are dark days, dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust,” Carney said. “We are getting over the shock but let us never forget the lessons. We have to look after ourselves and we have to look out for each other. We need to pull together in the tough days ahead.”
Trump has postponed 25% tariffs on many goods from Canada and Mexico for a month, amid widespread fears of a broader trade war. But he has threatened other tariffs on steel, aluminum, dairy and other products.
Carney 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.
In 2020, he began serving as the United Nations’ special envoy for climate action and finance.
Chrystia Freeland listens to Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, not shown, speak after he was announced the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Chrystia Freeland listens to Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, not shown, speak after he was announced the winner at the Liberal Leadership Event in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
Carney is a former Goldman Sachs executive. He worked for 13 years in London, Tokyo, New York and Toronto, before being appointed deputy governor of the Bank of Canada in 2003.
The other top Liberal leadership candidate was former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who received just eight percent of the vote. 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. Either he will call one, or the opposition parties in Parliament could force one with a no-confidence vote later this month.
Trudeau urged Liberals supporters to get involved.
“This is a nation-defining moment. Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given. Even Canada is not a given,” Trudeau said.