Canada is expected to have a new prime minister with former central banker Mark Carney winning the country’s Liberal Party election to replace outgoing Prime Minster Justin Trudeau, who announced his intention to step down in January.
Carney has had a fast rise in Canadian politics but also enters the key leadership role without ever holding office.
Here are five facts about Carney.
1. Never Held Office: Carney becomes the Liberal Party’s leader and the next Canadian prime minister without holding public office before. The former central banker enters the key leadership role with vast experience in finance, a position that may have helped him win the election.
In an acceptance speech, Carney focused heavily on U.S. President Donald Trump, tariffs and a potential trade war between the two North American countries.
“My government will keep the tariffs on until the Americans show respect,” Carney said. “In the meantime, we will make sure all the proceeds — all the proceeds from our tariffs — will be used to protect our workers.”
While the U.S. has paused tariffs on Canada, several retaliatory tariffs put into place by Canada are currently in effect.
Carney also publicly criticized Trump’s call to annex Canada and make the border country a state.
“Canada will never ever be part of America, in any way, shape, or form.”
Carney has also previously compared Trump to Harry Potter villain Voldemort.
“When you think about what’s at stake in these ridiculous, insulting comments of the president, of what we could be, I view this as the sort of Voldemort of comments,” Carney said.
Before entering politics, Carney was the governor of the Bank of Canada (2008 to 2013) and the Bank of England (2013-2020). During his time leading monetary policy, Carney was praised for his …
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