TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s ruling Liberals are set to announce a successor for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday amid concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and the upcoming federal election.
Members of the Liberal Party appear poised to select former central bank governor Mark Carney as their new leader and Canada’s next prime minister, with results expected to be revealed on Sunday evening.
Carney, 59, successfully managed economic crises during his tenure as the head of the Bank of Canada and, in 2013, he became the first noncitizen to lead the Bank of England since its establishment in 1694. His appointment garnered widespread bipartisan acclaim in the U.K., especially as Canada rebounded from the 2008 financial crisis more swiftly than many other nations.
The opposition Conservatives are aiming to frame the election around Trudeau, whose approval ratings have waned due to rising food and housing costs alongside a surge in immigration. Trudeau announced his resignation in January but will continue as prime minister until a successor is appointed and takes office. Election regulations require a general election to be held before fall, but one is anticipated this spring.
Trump’s trade disputes and his comments about making Canada the 51st U.S. state have sparked outrage among Canadians, prompting boos during the American anthem at NHL and NBA events. Some citizens are canceling trips to the U.S. and many are consciously avoiding American products when possible.
The rise in Canadian nationalism has increased the Liberal Party’s prospects in an imminent parliamentary election, with steady improvements shown in recent opinion polls.
After years of bilateral stability, the upcoming vote for Canada’s next leader is now expected to concentrate on who is best prepared to address issues with the United States.
Carney has gained multiple endorsements from Cabinet ministers and parliamentarians since announcing his candidacy in January. He is a well-educated economist with Wall Street experience who has long harbored ambitions of entering politics and serving as prime minister, though he does not possess significant political experience.
The other leading candidate for the Liberal leadership is former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. In December, Trudeau informed Freeland that he no longer wished for her to serve as finance minister, although he invited her to remain as deputy prime minister and the key figure for U.S.-Canada relations. Freeland resigned shortly thereafter, issuing a pointed letter regarding the government that many viewed as the final straw for Trudeau.
The new leader is expected to prompt an election shortly afterward, whether through a direct call from the new Liberal leader or via a no-confidence vote initiated by the opposition parties in Parliament later this month.
