Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has entered the Canadian prime ministerial race following Justin Trudeau’s resignation. The 59-year-old economist, widely credited with helping Canada dodge the worst of the 2008 crisis while heading the country’s central bank, aims to win the general election.
Carney’s announcement comes as the Liberal Party is struggling after Freeland’s sudden resignation forced Trudeau’s exit. The next leader could be the shortest-tenured prime minister in Canadian history. An opposition Conservative party has vowed to bring down the Liberals’ minority government in a no-confidence vote.
Carney criticized opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, saying he would not make effective negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump over Canada’s future as a 51st state. The Conservative Party had already launched a digital ad branding Carney as “carbon tax Carney” due to his support for carbon pricing policies.
During his tenure as Bank of England governor, Carney helped manage multiple crises and saved two economies. He has long championed the idea that making companies accountable for their environmental impact is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Carney’s experience includes leading Canada’s central bank during the 2008 crisis, cutting interest rates to historic lows to keep money flowing through the economy. As U.N.’s special envoy for climate change, he has pushed for carbon-cutting measures and led an alliance of international financial institutions.
The Liberal Party is expected to choose a new leader on March 9, while Carney aims to lead the party to victory in the general election this spring.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/mark-carney-canada-prime-minister-liberal-party-84b89e724e1673b23d60508de9b45ac4