As so many months have passed, a question has gained popularity regarding who will be the next prime minister of Canada. Now, as a storm is brewing between the US and Canada regarding tariffs, that’s why it has become extremely important that Canada selects a new Prime Minister. Canada must quickly select a new prime minister to deal with the rising tension that comes from Trump’s trade war, along with some of his provocative statements.
With exceptional crisis management skills and experience in leadership as a central banker, Mark Carney has now become the main front-runner for the Prime Minister’s position in Canada. He is also thought to be the most powerful candidate to replace Justin Trudeau, whose tenure is set to end, after the Liberals announced the leadership contest on Sunday.
Who is Mark Carney?
Aged 59, Canada and former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney proved himself to be a steady and influential leader. Carney’s leadership during the 2008 financial crisis put Canada in a somewhat better position compared to most other nations, leading to his name being sung across the world. His most significant help for the economy included his continued and clear guidance on interest rates, which provided a sense of confidence to businesses and households. He also made complicated financial policies understandable to the layman which he gained credibility among economists.
Carney having a lead in the leadership race
Carney has articulated his lead since entering the race in January. Several ministers from the Liberal Party have pledged their support to him, along with many Liberal members of parliament, building on his articulation. His main adversary, former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who resigned in December from Trudeau’s government, is perceived as a weak rival for time.
Who else for the leadership quest after the resignation of Trudeau?
One of the main reasons for the political change in Canada is the growing economic and diplomatic tensions between Canada and the US. Trump’s punitive trade policies and several slanderous comments declaring the US President’s desire to make Canada the 51st US State have stoked nationalist sentiments within Canada. Incidents where Canadians protested during the US national anthem and boycotted US goods fed the ruling party of the day, especially with increasingly volatile relations in question with Washington. The fact that Trudeau has stepped down at this time makes the forthcoming leadership election a referendum on Canada’s competence in dealing with such a contentious relationship with Washington.
What will happen next?
In the race for the leadership, which is under the auspices of the Liberal Party, the winner will be declared on Sunday, with 140,000 odd-member-voters expected to cast their votes. Snap elections can take place on the whim of the new Liberal leader, or even a vote of no-confidence may pass in parliament.
Growing tensions with the US
Canada’s next leader will face the challenge of managing growing diplomatic and economic tensions with the U.S. At this crucial moment of the country, its stability and future largely hang in balance with its differences with the US president, Donald Trump.
