Who are the candidates to become Canada’s next prime minister?

Canada is set for a new prime minister as the ruling Liberal Party prepares to announce Justin Trudeau’s replacement as leader.

Mr Trudeau, who has been prime minister since 2015, announced he was stepping down in January after facing calls to quit from a chorus of his own MPs.

The 53-year-old’s popularity had declined as food and house prices rose.

The Liberal Party will announce its new leader tonight following a vote by around 140,000 members.

A former Bank of England governor has emerged as the frontrunner as the country deals with the impacts of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

The next prime minister will also have to decide when to call a general election – which must be held on or before 20 October.

As the Liberal Party prepares to choose its new leader, we take a look at the candidates.

Mark Carney

The 59-year-old will be a familiar face to many in the UK as he served as governor of the Bank of England between 2013 and 2020.

He was formerly the head of Canada’s central bank and was praised after the country recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.

Mr Carney has picked up one endorsement after another from cabinet ministers and MPs since he declared his candidacy in January.

He did not serve in Mr Trudeau’s government but was named as the chair of a government task force on economic growth last September.

Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said Mr Carney’s calm demeanour and outstanding resume make him a reassuring figure to many Canadians at a time when Mr Trump is “going after their country’s economy and sovereignty”.

Read more:
Trudeau steps down with his popularity in shreds
Canadian PM criticises Trump over tariffs

Chrystia Freeland

Ms Freeland, a former deputy prime minister and finance minister of Canada, was leading in the polls to replace Mr Trudeau shortly after he announced his resignation.

However, her long association with the outgoing prime minister and the threat of Mr Trump’s tariffs have since tipped things in Mr Carney’s favour.

The 56-year-old was born in the west Canadian province of Alberta to a Ukrainian mother.

Before entering politics in 2013, Ms Freeland worked as a journalist covering Russia and Ukraine for several years.

Mr Trudeau told Ms Freeland that he no longer wanted her as finance minister in December but that she could remain deputy prime minister and the point person for US-Canada relations.

She stepped down shortly after and released a scathing letter about the government which increased pressure on Mr Trudeau ahead of his resignation.

Karina Gould

Ms Gould is the youngest woman to serve as a minister in Canada and has advocated for a tough stance on Mr Trump.

The 37-year-old, who has served as minister of democratic institutions and minister of international development, has previously branded herself as part of a “generational shift” and said the Liberal Party “needs to embrace this shift too”.

Ms Gould has reportedly proposed an increase in corporate taxes on large companies earning more than CAN$500m (£270m) a year to encourage them to reinvest in business and productivity.

She was serving as house leader until January 2025 when she left the cabinet to run for party leader.

Frank Baylis

Mr Baylis, a businessman from Montreal, served as a Liberal Party politician between 2015 and 2019.

The 62-year-old has reportedly proposed creating two pipelines that would transport natural gas to international markets in Europe and Asia to reduce dependence on America.

Mr Baylis criticised Mr Trudeau for travelling to meet Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in November.

He said: “Anybody’s that ever dealt with a bully successfully know you don’t give an inch.”

What’s next for Canada?

The new leader of the Liberal Party is expected to call a general election shortly after they take up the role.

After decades of bilateral stability, Canada’s next election is expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with the United States.

Mr Trump’s trade war and his talk of making the country the 51st state have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games.

Some are cancelling trips south and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, has embraced a populist approach not unlike Mr Trump’s.

He attacks the mainstream media and has vowed to put “Canada First”.

Before Mr Trump’s inauguration, the Conservatives were widely expected to win the country’s next election.

However, the US president’s threats against Canada have led to a surge in popularity for the Liberal Party in the polls.