After months of anticipation, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney has officially announced his candidacy to lead the Liberal Party, aiming to succeed Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister.
“I’m running because I love this country,” Carney said to a crowd of supporters and Liberal MPs at his campaign launch in Edmonton, Alberta, on Thursday. “But I believe it can be even better.” Edmonton holds personal significance for Carney, who grew up in the city and whose father, Bob Carney, ran as a Liberal candidate there in 1980.
The leadership bid comes in the wake of Trudeau’s announcement on January 6 that he would step down as party leader and Prime Minister once a successor is chosen. The decision followed months of internal and external pressure as the Liberals grappled with declining poll numbers.
Focus on Economic Recovery
During his speech, Carney emphasized his expertise in economics, pointing to his tenure as central bank governor in both Canada and the United Kingdom. He pledged to steer Canada’s economy toward stability and growth.
“I’ve managed through multiple crises and helped save two economies,” he said. “I understand how business works, and I’m committed to making it work for Canadians.”
Carney criticized the Trudeau government’s handling of affordability issues, vowing to keep the economy at the forefront of his agenda. “Too often, focus has drifted away from the economy,” he said. “I won’t make that mistake.”
He also promised bold ideas and significant policy changes in the weeks ahead, saying, “Our economy has been growing too slowly, wages are stagnant, and basic needs like groceries and rent have become unaffordable for too many Canadians. This must change.”
Carbon Tax Debate
When asked about the controversial carbon tax, Carney declined to commit to scrapping it, instead emphasizing the need for effective climate policy. “If we remove the carbon tax, we must replace it with something equally or more effective,” he noted.
Carney Positions Himself as an ‘Outsider’
Despite his connections to Trudeau’s administration, including his role as an informal economic adviser during the pandemic, Carney described himself as an outsider.
“There’s a big difference between offering advice and being in the cabinet,” he explained, adding that his leadership would bring fresh perspectives to the Liberal Party.
Criticism from Conservatives
Carney’s candidacy has drawn criticism from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who linked him to the current government’s economic challenges. Poilievre dismissed Carney’s claims of being an outsider, saying, “After nine years of Trudeau, Freeland, and Carney’s influence, Canadians are struggling with unaffordable living costs and broken systems.”
Carney fired back, accusing Poilievre of undermining Canadians’ confidence in their country. “When Conservatives say ‘Canada is broken,’ it’s not because they want to fix it. It’s because they want to tear it down,” he argued.
A Leadership Race Heats Up
Carney’s announcement adds momentum to an already competitive Liberal leadership race. Backbench MPs Chandra Arya and Jaime Battiste, as well as former MP Frank Baylis, have also declared their candidacy. Meanwhile, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to launch her own campaign soon.
Though Carney has yet to announce where he will run for a seat in Parliament, he declared, “I’m running to be Prime Minister of all Canadians.”
The Liberal leadership contest is set to be a defining moment for the party, with candidates offering contrasting visions for Canada’s future amidst economic and political challenges.
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