Canadian liberals will elect new leaders to replace Trudeau as the country fights trade war with Trump
TORONTO (AP) – Canadian ruling liberals will announce on Sunday the premiere replacement for Justin Trudeau as the country looms in tariff threats and federal elections with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Members of the Liberal Party appear to be planning to choose former Central Bank Governor Mark Carney as the leader of the new party and elected Canada’s next prime minister in a vote announced Sunday night.
Carney, 59, is head of the Canada Bank of Canada, when he became the first non-citizen to run the Bank of England since its founding in 1694.
Opposition conservatives want to elect Trudeau, and their popularity has declined as food and housing prices rise and immigration rises. Trudeau announced his resignation in January but remained prime minister until he chose a successor and was sworn in. Election law requires general elections to be held before the fall, but this spring is expected to be a general election.
Trump’s trade war and his talk about angering Canadians in the 51st state, who booed the U.S. national anthem at the NHL and NBA games. Some are canceling travel south of the border, and many avoid buying American goods when possible.
The surge in Canadian nationalism has strengthened the Liberal Party’s chances in the expected parliamentary elections in days or weeks, and liberal performance has been steadily improving in polls.
After decades of bilateral stability, it is now expected that the vote for Canada’s next leader will focus on who is best suited to deal with the United States.
Carney, 59, has received a recognition from cabinet ministers and members of parliament since he announced his candidacy in January. He is a highly educated economist with Wall Street experience and has long been interested in getting into politics and becoming prime minister, but he lacks political experience.
Another candidate for liberal leadership is former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland. Trudeau told Freeland in December that he no longer wanted her to serve as Treasury Secretary, but that she could continue to serve as a key person in the Deputy Prime Minister and U.S.-Canada relations. Freeland resigned shortly afterwards and issued a stern letter about the government, which proved to be Trudeau’s last straw.
The new leader is expected to trigger the election soon. The new Liberal leader will either convene one or the parliament’s opposition may vote with distrust later this month.
