The former central banker is the only other prime minister in Canadian history to be denied a seat in parliament.
After winning the race to head Canada's federal Liberal party, Mark Carney, a former central banker who supervised the country's response to the financial crises in North America and the United Kingdom, will take over as prime minister.
Carney, 59, assumes the position as Canada and the US, its longest-standing closest friend and biggest trading partner, are embroiled in a potentially disastrous trade war. Donald Trump declared last week that all Canadian imports would be subject to a 25% levy, with the energy and automotive industries receiving a special exception. The tariffs might force Canada's already precarious economy into a recession.
"Canada is not America. Carney told supporters, "And Canada never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape, or form." This revealed the existential crisis that has angered Canadians, strained the country's long-standing relationship with the United States, and is expected to be the main topic of his time as prime minister.
We didn't request this altercation. However, Canadians are always prepared when someone else takes the gloves off, Carney stated. "Therefore, the Americans should not be misled; Canada will prevail in both trade and hockey."
Justin Trudeau, the outgoing prime minister, energized the audience before to the announcement by assuring Liberals he was "damn proud" of the legacy of his government.
However, he cautioned that the nation was at a perilous period. This is a moment that will define the country. Democracy isn't guaranteed. Freedom isn't always guaranteed. "Not even Canada is a given," he informed his fans.
To thunderous applause, he also invoked the rallying cry "elbows up," which was made famous by ice hockey hero Gordie Howe in the wake of Trump's threats to takeover Canada.
When Carney, who served as governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020 and the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013, will take office is unknown. To decide the departing prime minister's last day in office, Trudeau and the future Liberal leader are anticipated to meet in the following days.
Carney defeated former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, former government house leader Karina Gould, and former parliamentarian Frank Baylis with 85.9% of the vote.
Being the second prime minister in Canadian history to not hold a seat in the House of Commons, Carney has taken an unconventional route to power. No rule prevents this, but it is customary to assume that Carney will have to make an announcement as soon as possible about his intention to run for a federal seat.
In addition, he will be the first Liberal prime minister from western Canada, which is a significant distinction in a politically divided nation based on geography.
Despite his longstanding connections to the Liberal party, including his time as an economic adviser to departing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Carney spent a large portion of his campaign portraying himself as an outsider.
The incumbent Liberals may be energized by his decisive victory, which was hinted at by fundraising success and a wave of important endorsements from top cabinet members with extensive organizing networks.
The party has turned around in recent weeks, bouncing back so hard that it now seems doubtful that the Conservatives will win a majority in the upcoming general election.
Pollsters have been unable to locate any historical precedent due to the drastic change in the polls.
To capitalize on his growing popularity and deny the opposition parties the rich political optics of overthrowing the Liberal government through a vote of non-confidence to force an election, the left-wing federal New Democratic party recently warned its members in a leaked memo that Carney would likely call a snap election within days of winning the leadership race.
Trump's repeated threats to takeover Canada help to explain the shift in the polls. Because of his vast economic experience, Carney is often seen in polls as the most reliable government leader to handle the present trade issue.
Carney declared, "Until the Americans treat us with respect, my government will continue to impose tariffs."
Carney also called Pierre Poilievre, the head of the Conservative Party and the current front-runner in the event of an election, a "career politician" who was leading a highly polarizing campaign. "In a tariff war, division doesn't win," Carney stated.
However, a number of missteps in recent weeks have highlighted the difficulties of transitioning from the business sector to politics.
Carney has been evasive about his involvement with Brookfield Asset Management, an investment firm that relocated its headquarters from Toronto to New York. This was a politically delicate matter because of the current push from the US on companies to relocate south.
The editorial board of the Globe and Mail praised him as a "quick learner in the art of prevarication and hairsplitting" for his efforts to elucidate the matter.
He has pledged to promptly place his sizeable assets—which are estimated to be worth over C$30 million (£16 million)—into a blind trust.
Before the announcement of the new leader, former prime minister Jean Chrétien remarked that Trump had brought Canadians together "like never before" and humorously asked him to be given the highest honors in the nation as a token of gratitude.
"From one elderly man to another." Quit this bullshit. To wild applause, he declared, "Canada will never join the United States."
"Canada is and will continue to be the greatest nation in the world, so no one will starve us into submission." "Vive le Canada!"
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