Days before announcing his campaign to lead the Canadian Liberal Party, Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, stated that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down enhances the Liberal Party's chances in the upcoming general election.

Carney said during an interview with broadcaster Jon Stewart on The Daily Show: “I think that gives the Liberal Party a chance.”

After Trudeau's resignation last week, sources anticipate Carney will announce his candidacy next Thursday in Edmonton, his hometown.

Mark Carney and his political background

Carney grew up in Edmonton, where his father, Bob Carney, ran in the federal elections in 1980 as a Liberal Party candidate, but finished second.

Although Carney did not officially announce his candidacy during the interview, he expressed interest in the economic issues Canadians are facing, such as inflation and the housing crisis. He said: “The government has not been focusing on these issues enough, and we need to start addressing them now.”

Carney's economic and climate plan

When asked about the controversial carbon taxes, Carney did not fully endorse the program. He said: “We need to implement it in a way that Canadians today do not bear the cost.” He also emphasized the importance of reducing emissions in the oil and gas sector, which accounts for about 30% of Canada’s emissions.

The race for the leadership of the Liberal Party

The Liberal Party will choose its new leader on March 9, and candidates must declare their intent to run by January 23.

Carney, who was appointed as a special economic advisor to the Liberal Party last September, was a candidate for the position of Minister of Finance instead of Chrystia Freeland before her sudden resignation in December, which was followed by Trudeau's decision to step down.

His criticism of Poilievre

During the interview, Carney criticized Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, describing his policies as seeking to exploit Canadians' tragedy. He said: “When the COVID pandemic started, Poilievre called for cuts to spending and taxes even as people were losing their jobs.”

As the next election approaches, the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party is expected to be pivotal in determining Canada’s political future, with the possibility of an early election this spring.