Canada’s Liberal Party is poised to select former central banker Mark Carney as its new leader on Sunday, positioning him to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and confront challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Carney, who led the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis and later the Bank of England post-Brexit, is favored over rival Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau’s former deputy prime minister.
The leadership vote, involving roughly 400,000 party members, comes as the Liberals gear up for a general election later this year, with polls showing the rival Conservative Party slightly ahead. Carney has garnered significant support, including endorsements from much of Trudeau’s cabinet, while Freeland’s ties to Trudeau’s increasingly unpopular government could hinder her chances.
Both candidates have framed themselves as best suited to counter Trump’s aggressive policies, which include threats to annex Canadian territory and erratic tariffs disrupting trade vital to Canada’s economy. Carney emphasized his crisis-management experience at campaign events, calling Trump’s actions “the most serious crisis in our lifetime” and vowing to protect Canadian interests. Freeland, a seasoned minister in Trudeau’s government, has struggled to distance herself from its declining approval ratings.
Recent polling suggests Canadians view Carney as the stronger candidate to counter Trump, a potential advantage over Conservatives in the upcoming election. The leadership shift underscores the Liberals’ urgent bid to reset their image and stabilize relations with the U.S., even as Trump’s rhetoric and trade policies keep bilateral tensions high. The winner will inherit the task of uniting a divided party and addressing voter fatigue after nearly a decade of Liberal governance.