Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has launched a bid to become Canada’s prime minister, targeting the country’s stagnant economy and criticizing outgoing premier Justin Trudeau’s handling. With Canada facing US-Canada tensions ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, Carney’s move adds to the power vacuum in Ottawa.
Carney, who led Canada’s central bank from 2008 to 2013, claims he can make the country’s economy the strongest in the G7 and has vowed to get it back on track. He acknowledged slow growth, low wages, and high grocery prices under Trudeau’s leadership. Carney, a former chair of Brookfield Asset Management, is trying to position himself as an outsider compared to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Trudeau stepped down as Liberal leader after months of party infighting and plummeting poll numbers, with Chrystia Freeland expected to announce her candidacy soon. However, Canada’s parliamentary system means Carney, who is not a Canadian MP, could become prime minister if he wins the Liberal leadership vote on March 9.
Early elections are likely, given Trudeau’s successor may face an immediate vote of no confidence as prime minister when parliament resumes on March 24. The situation comes at a time of heightened US-Canada tensions, with President-elect Trump describing Canada as the “51st state” and Trudeau as its “governor”.
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/342e3831-d65b-4d89-a2c6-892c8f6f6b02