This article has been updated.
Mark Carney will become Canada’s next prime minister after winning the Liberal leadership race on Sunday night after receiving 86 percent of the vote.
"Canada will never become part of America in any way, shape or form," he said, telling members of the Liberal Party to be prepared to fight "the most important election of our lives" where the "stakes have never been higher."
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Mark Carney, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump, is positioning himself to replace Justin Trudeau as Canada's prime minister. Carney, who previously served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has long been influential in global financial circles. His potential candidacy is raising eyebrows as he looks to bring a new direction to Canadian politics after Trudeau resigned.
Although Carney has never held an elected office, he is the frontrunner to lead Canada’s ruling Liberal Party and potentially replace Trudeau, a decision that will culminate on Sunday evening. If successful, he would assume Trudeau's leadership for over a decade.
Carney reportedly compared Trump to Harry Potter's Voldemort in reaction to the president's comments on making Canada the 51st state. He also described the president as a "bully" in response to American tariffs on the nation.
“Canada will not bow down to a bully. We won’t stand by as illegal U.S. tariffs hurt our workers and their families,” Carney said. “As Canadians, we need to face this challenge as one united team.”
He has been known for his liberal and progressive views on economic issues, climate change, and social justice.
Regarding climate change, Carney has emphasized that businesses and governments must take action to reduce carbon emissions and has been vocal about the necessity of integrating climate risk into financial systems. As the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, he has previously urged financial institutions to align their investment strategies with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
He has also advocated for stronger policies to address gender inequality in the workplace and supported efforts to make economic systems more inclusive. He claims there is systemic discrimination in the workplace.
More than half of Canada’s Liberal caucus, which has 153 members in the House of Commons, endorsed Carney for leader over former Cabinet ministers Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould. He also received the most campaign contributions at $1.3 million – more than Freeland collected last month.