Mark Carney is officially launching his campaign for Liberal leadership in Edmonton, marking a significant moment in Canadian politics.
Candidates have until January 23 to declare their bids, and there’s a hefty $350,000 entrance fee. The new leader will be chosen on March 9, marking the end of the Trudeau era. Carney aims to present himself as an outsider, distancing himself from the unpopular Trudeau government.
The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, are likely to attack Carney, linking him to Trudeau’s declining popularity and criticizing his past support for carbon pricing. Poilievre has been preparing for this moment, labeling Carney as “carbon tax Carney” and “just like Justin.”
It’s still unclear how Carney will handle the controversial carbon pricing issue during his campaign. In a recent interview on “The Daily Show,” he acknowledged the need to tackle climate change but didn’t take a firm stance.
Carney has been a topic of media speculation for years regarding his interest in the Liberal leadership. He passed on running in 2013 when Trudeau took the lead and led the party to a majority in 2015.
Launching his campaign in Edmonton allows Carney to showcase his Alberta roots. He grew up in the city and even worked as a newspaper boy. With both Carney and Freeland hailing from Alberta, the province could become a key battleground in this leadership race.
While Alberta leans conservative, it’s still a crucial area for leadership candidates seeking support. Each of Canada’s 343 federal ridings holds equal weight in the leadership race, meaning Alberta Liberals could play a significant role in deciding the winner.
Martha Hall Findlay, a former Liberal leadership candidate, emphasized the importance of Alberta ridings in this context. She noted that both Carney and Freeland will likely highlight their Alberta connections to gain traction in the province.
