Mark Carney has been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, positioning himself as the party’s key challenger to Pierre Poilievre in the next federal election.
The former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England secured a decisive victory, marking a significant shift in the party’s leadership.
“Mark Carney and the Liberal team are ready to deliver a strong plan that will grow our economy, stand up to Donald Trump, and build a better future for all Canadians,” said Sachit Merha, President of the Liberal Party of Canada.
“After years of following Donald Trump’s playbook and calling Canada ‘broken,’ Pierre Poilievre is the wrong choice at the wrong time – and only Mark Carney will defend and protect our country.”
The leadership race saw strong voter participation, with 151,899 Registered Liberals casting their ballots out of the 163,836 who verified their identity to vote. Carney won on the first ballot with 131,674 votes, accumulating 29,457 points.
The Liberal Party emphasized the integrity of the election process, ensuring it remained free from foreign interference. Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents were eligible to vote, and a stringent verification system was implemented to confirm voter identities.
Carney’s election comes as the Liberals report record grassroots fundraising efforts. With one month remaining in the first fiscal quarter, the party has achieved its best-ever Q1 fundraising results, building momentum for the next campaign.
Doug Ford Responds to Carney’s Victory
Ontario Premier Doug Ford congratulated Carney on his leadership victory, emphasizing the need for strong federal leadership amid ongoing economic challenges.
Ford highlighted concerns over U.S. tariffs and urged Carney to prioritize economic cooperation at all levels of government.
“The federal government must take decisive action to protect Canada’s economy from external pressures, including ongoing tariff threats from the United States,” Ford said. “Now more than ever, we need strong leadership and collaboration to safeguard Canadian jobs and industry.”
Ford also called for immediate support for economic development projects, particularly those linked to natural resources. He pointed to the critical minerals sector in northern Ontario and the Ring of Fire as key areas requiring federal backing.
“The government must move swiftly to support resource development and major infrastructure projects that will drive economic growth,” he stated. “Ottawa needs to be a partner in these nation-building initiatives, not a barrier.”
The Ontario premier reiterated his opposition to the federal carbon tax, calling it a “job-killing” measure that has increased costs for families and businesses.
He urged Carney to fulfill campaign commitments to remove the tax, arguing that it has harmed Canada’s economic competitiveness.
Ford also acknowledged outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s contributions, citing their collaboration on securing significant investments in Ontario’s automotive and electric vehicle sectors.
He stressed the importance of maintaining federal commitments to ensure continued economic development.
“Our country faces challenges, but we also have incredible opportunities,” Ford said. “Ontario is ready to work with the federal government and other provinces to strengthen Canada’s economy and future prosperity.”
