The former Bank of England governor Mark Carney, a climate-focused economist who became the first non-Briton to run the Bank, is considering entering the race to replace Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister.

Trudeau announced on Monday he would step down after nearly 10 years in power once his ruling Liberal party chose a new leader, throwing open the doors to a fierce party race before a general election later this year.

Carney, 59, in a statement quoted by Bloomberg, where he is a chair of the board of directors, said he would be “considering this decision closely with my family over the coming days”. A longtime and prominent member of the Liberal party, Carney said he was “encouraged” by the support of Liberal lawmakers and people “who want us to move forward with positive change and a winning economic plan”.

  • cygnus@lemmy.ca
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    2 days ago

    I would be quite happy with Carney as PM (especially if PP is the alternative) but I don’t think he has the name recognition or the charisma to win, especially against the tide of people being so tired with the Liberals.

    • BlameThePeacock@lemmy.ca
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      2 days ago

      I honestly don’t think any liberal does at this point, better to just put up a sacrificial lamb and try again seriously in 4 years when the Conservatives manage to do absolutely nothing about cost of living because it’s a global problem not a local problem.

      • cygnus@lemmy.ca
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        2 days ago

        Well, I would really like them to pick someone that can at least stem the bleeding enough that they don’t get wiped out. My only hope at this point is that the Libs and NDP can hold it together enough to force a Conservative minority. I can’t handle that sniveling little weasel having unchecked power.

        • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          2 days ago

          There’s a lot of Canadians who remember how he buffered us against the shitstorm of 2008. Compared to the US we weathered it with flying colours.

          The other thing about Carney is he isn’t a political hack … he hasn’t been brought up through the ranks and absorbed all the crap most politicians have. He’s honest and tells it like it is. If you want a reminder go back and look at his announcements from 2007-09. Not one lie or platitude passes his lips.

          I honestly believe he could not only get the nomination, but he could beat PP hands down.

          • ikidd@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            he could beat PP hands down.

            Yah, that’s some unbridled optimism right there.

          • cygnus@lemmy.ca
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            2 days ago

            I wish I could believe that, but I really don’t. Let’s not forget what happened to Kim Campbell.

            I do agree that Carney would probably make a fine PM even tough he’s an economist. He’s very intelligent and oddly left-wing, at least by the standards of his profession. He also has the advantage of saying he wasn’t present or responsible for the past several years of Liberal debacles, but even that isn’t enough IMO.

            • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksOP
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              2 days ago

              Kim was the obligatory sacrificial woman put into power temporarily. Recent history is full of those.

              Carney is different. I think he can do it.

        • Avid Amoeba@lemmy.ca
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          2 days ago

          PP minority is the all I hope for. I’ll vote in the leadership election with that in mind. There already are polls on people’s views of various leaders. We’ll see how thos change towards leadership election day.

    • Kichae@lemmy.ca
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      2 days ago

      Carney was a big deal back in the day. He might have the name value.

      The charisma? No. But then, I don’t think the most charismatic person alive could pull the Liberals out of their current spiral in the next 3 months.