Former governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, has declared his intention to contest the leadership of the Liberal Party and assume the role of prime minister of Canada, succeeding Justin Trudeau.
Mr. Carney, who was not affiliated with the Trudeau administration, presents himself as a candidate from outside the political establishment, equipped with extensive financial expertise.
The 59-year-old served as governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013, later taking up the same position at the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.
Mr. Trudeau, prime minister since 2015, resigned earlier this month amid increasing pressure from his own MPs and disappointing results in opinion polls leading up to this year’s elections.
Mr. Carney’s principal opponent in the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party appears to be former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who stepped down last month due to disagreements over policy, prompting Mr. Trudeau’s resignation.
In his announcement made in Edmonton, a city in western Canada, Mr. Carney stated: “These are not ordinary times.”
“The system is failing to function properly and to its full potential.”
He emphasized: “I will be entirely dedicated to restoring our economy.”
“I have managed various crises and have contributed to the recovery of two economies. I understand how business operates, and I know how to make it beneficial for you.”
Mark Carney with Justin Trudeau in 2018. Pic: AP
While he has not been affiliated with Mr. Trudeau’s government—which is trailing significantly in the polls behind the Conservative party—he maintains close connections with the Canadian prime minister.
Last September, he was appointed chair of a committee focused on economic growth.
In a recent interview with US comedian and political commentator Jon Stewart, Mr. Carney expressed concern that the Canadian government has not prioritized housing and living costs sufficiently.
Mr. Trudeau, age 53, will continue to serve as prime minister until his successor is appointed on March 9.
However, the incoming prime minister is expected to have a brief tenure.
The minority government could potentially collapse in parliament by the end of March, leading to an election that polling suggests the official opposition, Conservatives, may prevail in.
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The Conservatives have remarked that there is little distinction between Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Carney.
“As a veteran Liberal figure, an advisor since at least 2020… Carney is anything but an outsider,” remarked the Conservatives in a statement released on Thursday.
Mr. Carney began his career at Goldman Sachs before joining the Canadian finance department in 2004.
After his departure from the Bank of England in 2020, he was appointed as the United Nations special envoy focused on climate action and finance.
He currently serves as chair of Brookfield Asset Management.
