Mark Carney, who was the Bank of Canada governor and Bank of England governor, was sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister with a rapid and surprising ascension to power. Speaking to the country outside Rideau Hall, Carney outrightly dismissed the US annexation threat issued by previous President Donald Trump.
We will never, in any shape or form, be part of the US,” Carney asserted, highlighting Canada’s unique identity and calling for respect from its southern neighbor. While tensions ran high, he said he hoped to work with the Trump administration.
Carney, who won the Liberal leadership contest with 85.9% of the vote against former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and other challengers, has no elected experience beforehand and no seat in the House of Commons, leading to speculation that he will shortly issue an election call.
As he urged Canadians to bring on the bog down, Trump’s tariffs threaten Canada’s economy seriously. On being asked about US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s comments that Canada would be “better off as the 51st state,” Carney has called the notion “crazy.
Earlier on in the day, Justin Trudeau formally resigned after almost a decade in office, expressing gratitude to Canadians for placing their confidence in him. During his initial cabinet announcement, Carney kept essential ministers such as Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Defence Minister Bill Blair, while naming Francois-Philippe Champagne finance minister. Particularly, he brought back Freeland as transport minister.
As Canada’s political landscape shifts, polls indicate a tightening race between the Liberals and Conservatives, raising uncertainty about the upcoming election’s outcome.
