The senior ranks of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet have made their choice on who they believe should replace him as Canada’s prime minister – and they are throwing their weight behind Mark Carney.
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Carney has secured the backing of Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon. He will receive a public endorsement from Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Sunday, a person close to Champagne said.
The support shows that many ministers believe the former central banker is the best bet to counter US President Donald Trump’s trade threats and boost the Liberal Party’s electoral fortunes. They also strengthen Carney’s position in Quebec, traditionally a crucial bastion of Liberal support.
Joly, Guilbeault, MacKinnon and Champagne are all from the French-speaking province. Carney, 59, who grew up in Alberta, has been working daily with aides on improving his French-language skills, according to people familiar with the matter.
That will matter a lot if he wins the Liberal leadership contest, becomes prime minister and heads into a general election, where he would be up against Pierre Poilievre, a fierce and fluently bilingual debater who leads the Conservative Party, and Yves-Francois Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Quebecois.
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Justin Trudeau announces resignation as Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau announces resignation as Canadian Prime Minister
Joly, speaking with reporters on Thursday, said it “was a difficult choice” to back Carney over Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister who entered the race last week.