Just a few days before announcing his candidacy to succeed Justin Trudeau, Mark Carney finally came out of his lair . Not in Canada, but in the United States. A very strategic choice.
First, in an interview at Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, gaining wide visibility. The Canadian media have no choice but to repeat key extracts over and over again.
Second, he takes former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland by surprise, his possible main rival, whose announcement is still awaited.
Third, by delivering a surprisingly natural, articulate and humorous performance, Mark Carney introduced himself first to Canadians who, in fact, know him little.
In short, a showcase of this caliber is priceless. However, an interview, even an excellent one, does not make spring. Only the sequel will be able to tell if this Mark Carney is indeed the real one and if he will also be true in French.
Often applauded
As a starting shot to an exceptionally short race, the next leader of the PLC will be chosen on March 9 and become prime minister, it was nevertheless successful. No time to waste to make your mark.
To distinguish himself from Mme Freeland, however more complex, is his attempt to present himself in outsider of the Trudeau era.
A close friend of Mr. Trudeau and advisor to the PLC on economic matters, it is at least true that he was never a member of the government.
Often applauded, his central message to Canadian Liberals and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, however, was that he had a “plan.” Speaking about himself, he said: “Let’s say the candidate had a plan to face the challenges of today?”
A “plan”? Which is precisely what the Liberals criticized Justin Trudeau for not having. And what are these “challenges”?
-He spoke about the housing crisis, the high cost of living and worrying climate changes. Even adding that in his opinion, the Trudeau government had not acted enough on three fronts.
He thus attempted to distance himself from the Trudeau era while occupying two of Pierre Poilievre’s privileged areas: housing and inflation.
Friends, but no annexation
In doing so, he didn’t put all his eggs in Trump’s basket. And these threats to annex Canada economically and impose customs tariffs of 25%?
With humor, Mark Carney compared the relationship to that of a couple: “We find you very attractive, but we don’t want to move in with you.”
The same day, in an interview with a right-wing American blogger, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper also argued that Canadians want to be “friends” with the Americans and not to be “annexed” by them.
If we add the outings of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien calling on the Canadian political class to mobilize together against Trump, it is impossible not to conclude that there is a current leadership vacuum in Ottawa.
This vacuum, Mark Carney will have to convince liberal sympathizers that he would be able to put an end to it with a real “plan” and the ability to sell it. Both in Canadian politics and in response to Trump’s threats.
If he succeeded, he would then have to convince voters to save some of the PLC’s furniture. All by spring at the latest. Vast order.
No wonder most potential candidates to succeed Justin Trudeau are rushing to take their turn. This time…
