Ex-central banker Mark Carney to become next Prime Minister of Canada

Carney, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains Prime Minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days

Toronto: Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada’s next Prime Minister after the governing Liberal Party elected him its leader on Sunday as the country deals with US President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threat, and a federal election looms.

Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains Prime Minister until his successor is sworn in in the coming days.

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Carney navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada and when in 2013 he became the first noncitizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694. His appointment won bipartisan praise in the UK after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.

The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged. Trump’s trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st US State has infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games.

Some are canceling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can. The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party’s chances in a parliamentary election expected within days or weeks.