Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada, has formally entered the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.
Carney launched his campaign for the party leadership at a rally in Edmonton, the capital of Canada’s western province of Alberta, on Thursday afternoon.
“I’m back home in Edmonton to declare my candidacy for leader of the Liberal Party and prime minister of Canada,” said Carney, flanked by supporters and Liberal lawmakers.
The 59-year-old is considered one of the frontrunners in the race to replace Trudeau. He previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013, before he took the helm of the Bank of England until 2020.
Trudeau, who announced he was stepping down in early January amid growing pressure and slumping public support, will stay on until the party chooses his successor in early March.
The Liberals are hoping that a new leader will help boost their …