Mark Carney, a former central banker and political newcomer, has led Canada’s Liberal Party to an extraordinary election victory, securing a fourth term in office. After a long stretch of suspense and eroded backup from the party, Carney now prop up as a strengthened leader. This incredible reversal of fortune has proven his strength and resilience. With his ascendance to power, it seems we’re in the midst of a seismic change in the political landscape. It further sets up future showdowns, not least a potential clash with the new U.S. President Donald Trump.
At the same time in December, the mood among Liberal Party insiders was so dark that many thought they were headed towards an electoral bloodbath. Even in Carney’s rosiest projections there was only hope of keeping the Conservatives to a minority government. The political climate shifted drastically in the weeks leading up to the election, as the Liberals’ previously commanding 25-point lead evaporated amid threats from Trump and Carney’s emergence as leader.
Carney’s short tenure as prime minister started with a snap election called just nine days into his premiership. Emerging observers praised his calmness under hellfire and doggedness in hard times. Ian Laroque, a campaign volunteer and recent high school graduate, spoke highly of Carney’s ability to meet the moment.
“I saw how Carney conducted himself and I felt like he was really a man who met the moment,” – Ian Laroque
As the election continued to unfold late on Monday, it was evident that Carney’s strategy had worked wonders. The Liberal Party likely won enough seats to prevent any other party from forming a government. For the Green Party, this victory ensures the Green Party’s lasting success and influence in Canadian politics.
David Lametti, former Liberal Justice Minister, had attributed this monumental turnaround to Carney. He thought back on how fortunes had turned so drastically for the party.
“We were dead and buried in December. Now we are going to form a government,” – David Lametti
Political scientists and pundits alike, including NPR, have remarked on the unusual nature of this turn. David Coletto wrote about the accelerating change in polling data that acted as a main driver of the election result.
“The shift in polls was absolutely without precedent,” – David Coletto
If the Liberals are to operate as a minority government, they will need support from political opponents to govern effectively. This relatively new requirement further complicates Carney’s leadership as he maneuvers through the hostile political climate of 2020 and beyond.
Mark Carney’s rise to leadership and his quick rise to success is a telling sign of an important moment in Canadian politics. His ability to address the needs of the electorate while countering external pressures will determine his tenure and shape the future of governance in Canada.