After nearly 12 years at the helm of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau says he will step down from the party’s top job once a new leader is chosen.
But who comes next? And how will the party select a new leader?Outside his residence in Ottawa, Trudeau told reporters of his intention to step down following months of mounting pressure.“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau said he informed the Liberal party president on Sunday evening.“Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
The Liberal party’s board of directors must now set a date for the next leadership election establish the leadership expenses committee, according to the party’s constitution.
But who could enter the race to replace Trudeau?
Mark Carney’s potential plunge into politics has been rumoured since the summer, when Trudeau acknowledged that he has Media
reported that in the last few weeks, Carney has spent many hours on the phone with Liberal MPs — seeking their advice and support for a run at the leadership of the federal Liberal party, should that job come open in the coming days.
While Carney was unavailable for an interview Sunday, a source with knowledge of his activities said Carney has spoken to “dozens” of Liberal MPs over the Christmas break but declined to identify those MPs.
Born in Fort Smith, N.W.T., and raised in Edmonton, Carney earned an undergraduate economics degree from Harvard University and followed that up with master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University.
He’s a well-known name in global financial circles.
Carney was governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013, steering the central bank’s response to the global financial collapse.
That performance led him to take on the same role as governor at the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, becoming the first non-Briton to lead the institution.
While much of his career has been in the private sector and central banking, Carney did have a three-year stint in Canada’s finance department, serving as senior associate deputy minister of finance to two finance ministers: Liberal Ralph Goodale and Conservative Jim Flaherty.
After Trudeau’s announcement Carney thanked him for his service.
“Thank you Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau for your leadership, for your many contributions to Canada, and for the sacrifices you and your family have made for public service. Wishing you the best for your next chapters,” he posted on the social media site X.