OTTAWA – Canada’s next prime minister has vowed to take on – and defeat – U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war.
Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, easily won Sunday’s Liberal leadership race and promised to keep reciprocal tariffs against goods from the United States in place until Trump permanently removes tariffs he’s imposed – and repeatedly delayed – since retaking the p residency in January.
Carney, who turns 60 on Sunday, also vowed Canada will never become part of America, a scenario floated over and over by Trump in recent weeks, promising to annex the country and make it the 51st state.
The soon-to-be prime minister was elected with 86 per cent of the ballot, beating our former finance minister Chrystia Freeland in a vote that saw about 152,000 votes cast.
“There’s someone who’s trying to weaken our economy. Donald Trump. Donald Trump has put unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell, on how we earn a living. He’s attacking Canadian workers, families, and businesses. We can’t let him succeed and we won’t,” Carney said in making his victory speech.
My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect … And make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade. In the meantime, we will ensure that all proceeds from our tariffs will be used to protect our workers.”
Carney, who does not hold a seat in the House of Commons, is expected to take over as prime minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau, after a brief transition period. Trudeau has led the Liberal party since 2013 and has served as prime minister since 2015, though his past two governments have been minorities.
The incoming Liberal leader said Americans under Trump want Canada’s resources and under Trump are threatening to take them by any means necessary.
“America is not Canada. And Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape, or form. We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves. So, Americans should make no mistake… In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win,” said Carney, who also vowed to remove the controversial carbon tax on energy as soon as Parliament is reconvened later this month.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has made removing the carbon tax central to his campaign messaging, and on Sunday night, Poilievre, who has been endorsed by Trump, said the Liberals are trying to trick Canadians into voting the Liberals back into power for a fourth term.
“Carney's advice drove up taxes, housing costs, and food prices, while he personally profited from moving billions of dollars and thousands of jobs out of Canada to the United States,” Poilievre told a rally of his supporters.
“Working for Trudeau, Carney made Canada weaker and poorer. Working for himself, Carney made the United States richer and stronger.
Sources have told national media that Carney is expected to call for an election as soon as March 24, when Parliament is recalled after being prorogued for several months under Trudeau’s watch.
Another prominent Conservative, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, offered up his congratulations to Carney.
“Your election comes at a critical time as our country continues to stare down the ongoing threat of President Trump’s tariffs. Now more than ever, Canada needs strong leadership and cooperation across all levels of government to protect our country,” Ford said in a release.
“As premier of Ontario, I look forward to renewed federal leadership when it comes to supporting projects that will unleash the economic potential of Canada’s economy, including and especially by unlocking critical minerals across Ontario’s north and in the Ring of Fire.”
