Overview

• Mark Carney, a former central banker with no prior elected office experience, has been elected leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, succeeding Justin Trudeau as prime minister.
• Carney’s leadership begins during a tense trade conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened tariffs and made controversial comments about annexing Canada.
• A snap federal election is anticipated, where Carney will face Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, with polls showing a narrowing gap between the two parties.
• Carney’s background includes steering the Bank of Canada through the 2008 financial crisis and the Bank of England through Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Key domestic issues for Carney include addressing Canada’s affordability crisis, housing shortages, and strained U.S.-Canada relations.