Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, has been elected as the new leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, replacing Justin Trudeau as prime minister.
Carney’s victory comes as the party experiences a surge in support, driven in part by opposition to President Trump’s policies targeting Canada. Trudeau, who led the Liberals for 11 years and served as prime minister for nine, announced his resignation in January amid declining popularity.
Despite expectations of a Conservative victory in the upcoming national elections, anti-Trump sentiment has boosted the Liberal Party’s standing, giving it its first polling lead since 2021.
The leadership election saw just over 150,000 Canadians cast votes, with party members undergoing a verification process to participate.
Trudeau, in his farewell speech, urged Liberals to remain engaged, emphasizing that democracy and freedom should not be taken for granted. Carney’s election marks a new chapter for Canadian politics, setting the stage for a showdown with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the next national elections, scheduled by October 20 but potentially called earlier. His leadership could provide a model for liberal parties worldwide seeking to counter the rise of populism.
