Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney has suggested he may call an early election to get a “strong mandate” in the context of tariff threats from the United States if he wins the contest to replace Justin Trudeau and becomes prime minister.
“If Parliament needs to be recalled for certain reasons, it will be,” Carney told reporters during a press conference in Vancouver on Feb. 13. “If it makes sense to get a strong mandate at that point, that is what we’ll follow.”
The new Liberal leader will be announced on March 9, whereas Parliament is expected to return from prorogation on March 24.
The situation with the United States is “very fluid” and nothing is “pre-wired” regarding what decision to make on the matter of recalling Parliament, said Carney, who’s the current frontrunner in the leadership race.
“Let’s see what the situation is in the middle of March and do what is best for Canadians, and the government will do what’s best for Canadians,” said the former Bank of Canada governor.
Carney didn’t specifically mention the minority government taking the steps to launch an early election, though this is what seeking a stronger mandate normally implies.
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Carney was being asked by reporters to react to fellow leadership contender Chrystia Freeland saying that having a general election right after the Liberal leadership race would not be “ideal.” Freeland said with Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum on March 12, it the government must be fully functioning. She suggested if Carney wins, he would not be able lead the government’s efforts because he doesn’t hold a seat in the House of Commons.
The Liberal Party is holding a leadership race during Parliament’s prorogation and as U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening several different sets of tariffs on Canada.
Carney and Freeland have both been strongly critical of Trump’s tariff threats.
“President Trump seems to think he can suspend the laws of the United States, of international trade, and of economics,” Carney said in a social media post on Feb. 11.
Freeland said when launching her campaign she would retaliate against tariffs by inflicting “the biggest trade blow the United States has ever endured.”
Along with other candidates in the race, Freeland and Carney will be able to publicly debate their plans on how to manage the United States at the end of the month. A French and an English debate will take place in Montreal on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.
Other candidates in the race include former cabinet minister Karina Gould, and former Liberal MPs Ruby Dhalla and Frank Baylis.
Whether Parliament returns before March 24 or not, multiple factors point to an early spring election. All opposition parties have said they will vote non-confidence in the government at the earliest opportunity.
If Carney wins the Liberal race, he would become a rare unelected prime minister and could seek to launch an election to run for a House of Commons seat.
Carney said on Feb. 13 that he intends to run for a House seat even if he loses the leadership race, and that he would serve his entire term if elected.
The NDP expects a snap election could be called immediately after the Liberal Party elects its new leader. In an internal memo sent to its federal candidates and their campaign staff, the party said they should prepare for an election as early as March 10.
The memo says the Liberals are seeking to use the potential trade war with the United States for political gain. It also says that NDP officials have heard rumours that Carney, who they expect will likely win, intends to call an early election.
Carney currently has secured the most endorsements from Liberal ministers and MPs, and has polled ahead of other candidates.
Carney was asked by reporters about the NDP memo and he responded that he hasn’t talked to the NDP.
