Newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly stated that Canada will never become part of the United States, following his unexpected rise to leadership as the country’s 24th prime minister. Speaking to a crowd outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Carney, who previously served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, dismissed any notion of annexation by Donald Trump, emphasizing Canada’s distinct identity. He stressed the importance of mutual respect between Canada and the US while expressing optimism about potential collaboration with the Trump administration.
Carney's ascent to leadership came after he secured a decisive victory over former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, former government house leader Karina Gould, and former MP Frank Baylis, garnering 85.9% of the vote in a closely watched leadership contest. Despite lacking prior elected experience and a seat in the House of Commons, Carney is poised to call an election soon, driven by the pressing trade tensions with the US and his current inability to participate in parliamentary sessions.
The ongoing trade conflict initiated by Trump poses a significant threat to Canada’s economy, with the potential for prolonged tariffs to trigger a recession and widespread economic disruption. In response to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's suggestion that Canada would be economically better off as the 51st state, Carney dismissed the idea as "crazy."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Carney and expressed a desire to strengthen ties between their nations, acknowledging Canada’s support against Russian aggression.
An impending election would impose spending limits on political parties, affecting the well-funded Conservative party, which currently leads in polls but faces a narrowing gap. Justin Trudeau recently stepped down as prime minister after nearly a decade, leaving behind a legacy of increased popularity in his final weeks amid challenges to Canadian sovereignty.
Carney has announced a new, smaller cabinet, retaining key figures such as Mélanie Joly as foreign affairs minister and appointing François-Philippe Champagne as finance minister. He also brought back his former leadership rival Freeland as transport minister, while removing some of Trudeau’s close allies from their positions.
The Liberals have experienced a remarkable recovery in public support, challenging the once-anticipated Conservative majority in the next election. A recent poll indicates Conservative support has fallen to 38%, with the Liberals close behind at 34%. Carney is perceived as more capable than his Conservative counterpart in several key areas, according to the poll.
Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien expressed confidence in Carney’s abilities, noting his international respect.