Mark Carney wins leadership bid, will be next Canadian prime minister

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) – Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership by a landslide on the first ballot and will become Canada’s new prime minister.

The former head of the Bank of Canada defeated second place finisher, Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister, with 85.9% of the vote, while Freeland received 8% and the other two contestants about 3% each.

Carney has become the first Liberal Party leader to serve as prime minister while never having served in political office.

Looking out over the convention at Liberal delegates, he said “this room is very strong” and added he will have to have help in beating back the challenges ahead.

There is no doubt Carney was referencing US President Donald Trump and his tariffs on goods imported from Canada. The tariffs will devastate the Canadian economy and Trump hopes that leads to an annexation of Canada as the 51st state.

“I pledge to you and to all Canadians” that I will stand up for Canada,” Carney said.