Canada braces for new leader: Here are Trudeau’s potential successors

Canada is bracing for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s successor, who will follow the Liberal Party leader who has led U.S.’s neighbor to the north since the Obama administration, The Associated Press reported.

The change in leadership will come amid frosty U.S.-Canada relations over President Trump’s tariffs targeting Canada. Last week, the Trump administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on a majority of imports from Canada and Mexico.

Trump later went forward with tariff exemptions for Canada- and Mexico-based imports in line with a trade agreement from 2020, but tensions between the U.S. and Canada are still simmering.

All of this comes as Canada’s Liberal Party has a Sunday leadership vote to see who comes after Trudeau, according to the AP. A general election has to be called by Trudeau’s successor, with that election having to occur prior to October, according to The New York Times.

Here’s what you need to know about Trudeau’s possible successors:

Mark Carney

The former leader of the Canadian central bank, Carney also has served as the Bank of England’s leader, gaining bipartisan praise in the United Kingdom in the wake of the fast 2008 financial crisis recovery of Canada, according to the AP.

He has also been recognized for continually letting money move through the economy in Canada via reducing interest rates speedily to a record low, informing the public about low rates to result in uninterrupted borrowing and collaboration on keeping up lending with bankers during the crisis, the AP reported.

Carney has also earned his fair share of Cabinet member and Parliament member endorsements following the January declaration of his candidacy, the AP reported.

Chrystia Freeland

Chrystia Freeland, a former deputy prime minister for Canada, is also in the running for Trudeau’s seat.

Freeland has a background in journalism, previously working at outlets including the Financial Times and Reuters, according to The New York Times. In December, she backed out of Trudeau’s Cabinet, with Freeland pointing to fiscal policy contrasts being behind her resignation, according to The Washington Post.

In a December resignation letter from Freeland to Trudeau, she said that Canada was dealing with “a grave challenge.”

“The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 percent tariffs,” Freeland added. “We need to take that threat extremely seriously,” she added. “That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war.

“That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment,” she continued.

Karina Gould

Former Families Minister Karina Gould in January said she is “part of a generational shift” in her country, according to CNN, and that an “embrace” of “this shift too” is required by her party.

Gould has put forth the raising of large companies’ corporate taxes so they can be pushed into business and productivity reinvestment rather than deal with a higher corporate tax, according to CNN.

Frank Baylis

Between 2015 and 2022, Frank Baylis spent time as a lawmaker, according to CNN. The Montreal businessman presented a proposal last month for two pipelines with the ability of natural gas transportation to European and Asian markets, CNN reported.

Baylis has previously gone after Trudeau over how he has handled Trump and warned about dependence “on one country” by the Canadian economy, also pushing for variety in trading partners, per CNN.

Topics

Canada prepares to select new leader

On Sunday, Canada will move one step closer to finding its next prime minister when the governing Liberal Party holds a leadership vote to replace Justin Trudeau. The move comes as President Trump ...
CBS News - 1d
Canada’s Liberal Party elects Mark Carney to replace Justin Trudeau

Canada’s Liberal Party on Sunday elected Mark Carney as the party’s new leader after a high-stakes race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. NBC News’ Molly Hunter has the latest.
NBC News - 4h
Canada’s Liberal Party To Elect New Leader and Prime Minister to Replace Trudeau: What to Know

Front-runner Mark Carney and underdog Chrystia Freeland, both established, centrist policymakers, are vying to succeed Justin Trudeau amid grave threats to Canada from the United States.
The New York Times - 18h
Canada to choose new leader to face Trump in trade war with US

Former central banker Mark Carney favoured over Chrystia Freeland to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal party head
Financial Times - 18h
Chrystia Freeland Eyes Justin Trudeau’s Job as Canada’s Liberal Party Leader

Ms. Freeland is vying to become Canada’s next Liberal Party leader and prime minister on Sunday. Her chances could hinge on whether voters consider President Trump’s dislike of her an asset.
The New York Times - 2d
Mark Carney to become Canada’s next prime minister after Liberal Party vote

Canada’s Liberal Party chose its next leader in Mark Carney, and he will soon replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to lead the country. The exact date for Carney, 59, to take office is uncertain, ...
The Hill - 4h
Mark Carney to replace Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister

Former head of Canada and England central banks will try to ease trade tensions with Donald Trump
Financial Times - 4h
Canadians deal with tariff threats amid Trudeau successor battle

As President Trump threatens tariffs on the Canadian dairy and lumber industry — while holding off on broader tariffs on goods covered under the USMCA until April — Canadians are also dealing with ...
CBS News - 11h
AI Is Changing Everything. Here’s How to Stand Out as a Thought Leader

A branding expert shares how to get ahead of AI and establish your presence as an authentic thought leader.
Inc. - 1d