Mark Carney wins Canada’s Liberal leadership in a landslide—immediately takes aim at Donald Trump
Canada has a new prime minister, and he’s already taking shots at Donald Trump. Mark Carney, former governor of the Banks of Canada and England, has crushed his rivals to claim leadership of the Liberal Party, securing a staggering 85.9% of the vote. With Justin Trudeau stepping down, Carney now takes the helm of a struggling party that’s suddenly enjoying a surge—fueled in part by rising anti-Trump sentiment across the country.
In a blistering victory speech, Carney wasted no time addressing what he sees as an existential threat from Canada’s southern neighbour. “These are dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust,” he declared, directly referencing Trump’s aggressive tariffs on Canadian goods. But the newly elected PM didn’t stop there. In a defiant vow, he made it clear that Canada would never bow to U.S. pressure. “America is not Canada. And Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape or form,” he proclaimed.
His fighting words come at a critical moment. Trudeau’s leadership had been on the ropes, with the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, consistently dominating the polls. But Trump’s recent moves—including punitive tariffs and offhanded boasts about making Canada the “51st state”—appear to have galvanised Liberal support. A new poll even gave the party its first lead since 2021, a development few would have predicted just months ago.
Trudeau, delivering his farewell speech, urged Liberals to stay vigilant. “Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given,” he warned, hinting at the wider global battle between liberal democracy and right-wing populism. His resignation in January had initially been seen as the death knell for the party, but Carney’s decisive victory has injected fresh energy into the Liberals’ campaign machine.
Carney’s rise to power is an unusual one. A former central banker, he played a crucial role in steering Canada through the 2008-09 financial crisis before heading to the Bank of England, where he stabilised markets in the wake of Brexit. Unlike the usual career politicians, Carney’s entry into electoral politics was met with scepticism. Yet his overwhelming win suggests Canadians were eager for a leader who prioritises competence over political theatre.
His tenure as prime minister will last until the next federal election, currently scheduled for October 20—but that could change. The Canadian Global Television Network reports that Carney has the power to call an early election, possibly even before Parliament resumes on March 24. With his party’s sudden momentum, a snap election could be a tempting gamble to secure a full term in office before Conservative opposition regains its footing.
Meanwhile, the stakes are high. The upcoming election will likely be a brutal showdown between Carney and Poilievre, whom Liberals have been quick to compare to Trump. If Carney can successfully position himself as Canada’s firewall against right-wing populism, his victory could serve as a model for struggling liberal parties worldwide. But with the Conservatives still holding significant support, his biggest challenge may be keeping the Liberals’ newfound energy alive long enough to win at the ballot box.
One thing is certain: Carney isn’t shying away from a fight. And with Trump looming over the border, that fight may be just beginning.
