Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, has confirmed he is considering a bid to succeed Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister of Canada.
Trudeau announced Monday he would step down after nearly a decade in office, prompting the Liberal Party to begin a search for a new leader ahead of the looming general election.
Carney, 59, rose to prominence as the first non-Briton to head the Bank of England. He previously headed the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013 and earned a reputation for his cool-headed approach to the global financial crisis. Since leaving the Bank of England in 2020, Carney has served as chairman of Brookfield Asset Management and the United Nations special envoy for climate action and finance.
In a statement quoted by Bloomberg, where he serves as chairman of the board, Carney said he was “encouraged” by the support of Liberal lawmakers and Canadians who “want us to move forward with positive change and a winning economic plan.” He promised to consult with family members before making a final decision.
Speculation surrounding Carney’s possible leadership ambitions has been fueled by Trudeau’s declining poll numbers in the face of high inflation, record food prices and widespread voter fatigue. The Liberal government’s carbon pricing agenda is also under fire from the Conservative party, whose leader Pierre Poilievre has labeled Carney a “Carbon Tax Carney.”
Pollsters currently give the Conservatives a strong chance of forming a majority government. A recent Angus Reid Institute survey placed Carney second behind former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in a list of potential Liberal leaders.
Trudeau’s resignation comes amid concerns about Canada’s economic prospects and the possibility of U.S. tariffs under incoming President Donald Trump, which could potentially hurt Canadian trade. Elections are scheduled for October, although the exact date has not yet been confirmed.
Carney’s diverse background – he holds Canadian, Irish and, since 2018, British citizenship – adds an international element to his profile. His economic pedigree and advocacy for climate change could appeal to liberals looking for a fresh perspective for a party facing a difficult electoral challenge.