Mark Carney has won the leadership of Canada’s Liberal Party after a tough competition to replace Justin Trudeau. Now, he must prepare to lead the party in the next federal election, expected before October. However, the race will not be easy, as the Conservative Party currently leads in the polls.
Even though Carney has taken over as the Liberal Party leader, Trudeau will stay on as Prime Minister for a while to help with the transition.
Relations between Canada and the United States have been tense under US President Donald Trump. He has accused Canada of allowing illegal immigration into the US, imposed high tariffs on Canadian imports, and even joked about making Canada the 51st US state. The White House claims these actions are necessary to stop fentanyl from crossing the border.
In his first speech as Liberal leader, Carney addressed these tensions, saying Canada would strengthen trade ties with more reliable partners. He also promised to keep tariffs on the US until “the Americans show us respect.”
“New threats demand new ideas and a new plan,” he told the Liberal Party convention on Sunday.
“Canada will never be part of the US“
Carney strongly criticized Trump’s trade policies, saying, “He’s attacking Canadian families, workers, and businesses, and we cannot let him succeed.”
“In trade as in hockey, Canada will win,” he added.
The strained relationship has even affected Canadian sports culture, with NHL and NBA fans in Canada booing the US national anthem at games.
Carney’s biggest political rival is Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Many have compared Poilievre to Trump, though he recently distanced himself, saying, “I am not MAGA.”
At a rally before the Liberal leadership vote, Poilievre criticized Carney, claiming he is not prepared to handle Trump. After winning the leadership, Carney fired back at his opponent.
“Working for Trudeau, Carney made Canada weaker and poorer; working for himself Carney made the United States richer and stronger,” Poilievre said.
Meanwhile, Trudeau, in one of his final speeches as Liberal leader, warned that Canada faces an “existential challenge” due to its relationship with the US.
“Donald Trump thinks he can weaken us with his plan to divide and conquer. Pierre Poilievre’s plan will leave us divided and ready to be conquered,” Carney said.
As Canada heads toward elections, Carney and Poilievre will battle for leadership, with Canada’s future relationship with the US playing a key role in the debate.
“This is a nation-defining moment,” he told the Liberal leadership convention in Ottawa, ahead of Carney being announced as his successor.
“And now, as Canadians face from our neighbor an existential challenge, an economic crisis, Canadians are showing exactly what we are made of,” Trudeau said.
