Mark Carney Wins Leadership of Canada’s Liberal Party, Set to Succeed Trudeau as Prime Minister

Carney's unexpected rise to prominence has coincided with a revival of Liberal fortunes.

By DTD- On Mar 10, 2025

Toronto— Former central banker Mark Carney has emerged victorious in the race to become leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, securing 86% of the vote in a contest that saw just under 152,000 party members cast ballots. Carney, 59, will succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister at a particularly challenging time for Canada, which is embroiled in a trade dispute with the United States under President Donald Trump.

In a statement after his win, Carney sharply criticized Trump, saying, “There’s someone who’s trying to weaken our economy. He’s attacking Canadian workers, families, and businesses. We can’t let him succeed.” His remarks were met with loud boos from the audience, as he framed the situation as an urgent fight for Canada’s economic future.

Carney, a political outsider with no prior experience in elected office, promised a bold new direction for the Liberal Party. “This won’t be business as usual,” he declared. “We will have to do things that we haven’t imagined before, at speeds we didn’t think possible.”

The leadership race came in the wake of Trudeau’s announcement in January that he would step down after nearly a decade in power. The Canadian prime minister’s approval rating had plummeted, triggering the need for a rapid leadership contest. Trudeau emphasized the gravity of the moment in his farewell address, stating, “Make no mistake, this is a nation-defining moment. Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given. Even Canada is not a given.”

Carney, drawing from his experience as the governor of two G7 central banks — in Canada and England — positioned himself as the best candidate to confront the challenges posed by Trump’s trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs that have threatened Canada’s export-dependent economy.

“My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect,” Carney promised, referencing the C$30 billion in retaliatory tariffs Trudeau imposed on the United States in response to Trump’s trade actions.

Carney’s unexpected rise to prominence has coincided with a revival of Liberal fortunes. Just months ago, the party was trailing by more than 20 points in polling, but it is now statistically tied with the official opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre. This dramatic shift has been fueled in part by Trump’s ongoing trade threats and rhetoric, including his taunts about annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state.

The Liberals’ surge has also sparked a national rallying moment, with Canadians expressing strong opposition to Trump’s policies. At a protest outside Parliament in Ottawa on Sunday, demonstrators held signs denouncing Trump without referencing domestic politics. “There is a rallying-around-the-flag moment that we would never have predicted a year ago,” said Richard Johnston, a professor of politics at the University of British Columbia. “I think it’s probably true that the Liberals have been saved from oblivion.”

Despite the surge in support, polling indicates that neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives would be able to form a majority government in the upcoming election, which must be held by October 20. However, sources within the Liberal Party suggest Carney is planning to call an election in the coming weeks, potentially setting the stage for a much sooner vote.

Though Carney could serve as prime minister without a seat in the House of Commons, tradition dictates that he will seek to secure one as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Poilievre has ramped up his criticism of Carney, comparing the former banker to Trump in recent advertisements, sparking further political battles ahead.

As Canada prepares for a pivotal election, the country’s future direction hangs in the balance, with Carney positioning himself as the figure to lead Canada through the turmoil of trade tensions and economic uncertainty.