Canada’s ruling party elects Mark Carney as new leader, set to become next PM

Mark Carney, former central banker, was overwhelmingly elected as the new leader of Canada’s Liberal Party on Sunday, paving the way for him to become the country’s next prime minister. Carney, 59, secured 85.9% of the votes in the leadership election.

In his new role, Carney is tasked with leading Canada’s response to growing challenges, including threats posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Carney’s victory marks a historic moment as he becomes the first Liberal leader to rise to the prime ministership without prior political office experience.

Addressing delegates at the convention, Carney acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “This room is very strong,” and emphasized the need for collective effort. His comments were seen as a direct reference to Trump, whose tariffs on Canadian goods are threatening to devastate the nation’s economy.

US wants ‘our country’

“The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country,” Carney said after the ruling Liberal party chose him to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump is “attacking Canadian workers, families, and businesses. We cannot let him succeed.”

Carney pledged to stand firm against these threats, declaring, “I pledge to you and to all Canadians that I will stand up for Canada.”

Canada faces ‘existential challenge’

Earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in his farewell address to the party, warned that Canada faces an “existential challenge” from the U.S.

Speaking to party loyalists in Ottawa, he referred to Trump’s ongoing trade war and repeated remarks about annexing Canada as key concerns, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.