Mark Carney Elected Leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, Set to Become 24th Prime Minister

Toronto, Canada – On March 9, 2025, Mark Carney was elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, positioning him to become the nation’s 24th Prime Minister. Carney, a former Governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, secured a decisive victory in the leadership race, obtaining nearly 86% of the vote and winning all 343 electoral districts.

The leadership election was prompted by the resignation of Justin Trudeau on January 6, 2025, after over nine years in office. Carney’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 14, 2025, and will be presided over by Governor General Mary Simon.

Carney’s assumption of office comes at a challenging time for Canada, as the nation faces a trade war with the United States under President Donald Trump. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, leading to economic uncertainties. In response, the Bank of Canada has reduced its benchmark interest rate to 2.75%, the lowest since 2022, to bolster consumer and business confidence.

Congratulations to @markjcarney , our newly elected leader of our party! @liberalca and the next 24th Prime Minister of Canada 🇨🇦
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Félicitations à @markjcarney , notre chef de parti nouvellement élu ! @liberalca et le prochain 24e Premier Ministre du Canada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/tPoZqGASjE

— Arielle Kayabaga 🇨🇦 (@KayabagaArielle) March 9, 2025

Despite these challenges, Carney has expressed his willingness to engage with President Trump, emphasizing the importance of respecting Canadian sovereignty and seeking a common approach to trade. He aims to renew the economic and security partnership between the two countries, even amid the current tensions.

Carney’s cabinet is anticipated to be significantly smaller than Trudeau’s, with an expected 15 to 20 ministers compared to the previous 37.

His leadership is expected to steer the Liberal Party through the upcoming federal election, slated for later this year.

As Carney prepares to take office, provincial leaders like Ontario Premier Doug Ford are actively addressing the trade tensions with the U.S., advocating for reciprocal measures and engaging in discussions to protect their provinces’ interests.

The Jamaican diaspora in Canada, particularly in Toronto, will be closely monitoring these developments, given their potential impact on trade relations and economic opportunities between Canada and Caribbean nations.