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Mark Carney wins federal Liberal leadership by landslide, to be next PM

Ex-Bank of Canada governor vows to scrap consumer carbon tax, expected capital gains tax inclusion rate hike

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OTTAWA — It was an unsurprising result in a largely one-sided campaign.

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney was crowned new federal Liberal leader during the party’s convention Sunday night in Ottawa and will soon be Canada’s 24th prime minister.

Carney easily won the vote, netting 131,674 (85.9%) of the 151,899 votes cast in the nearly two-month-long leadership race. Chrystia Freeland came in second with 11,134 votes (8%), Karina Gould came third with 4,785 votes (3.2%), while Frank Baylis came fourth with 4,038 votes (3%).

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Addressing the crowd after being introduced by his daughter, Carney vowed to work as hard as the party staffers and volunteers who facilitated the leadership race.

“I pledge to you, and to all Canadians, that I will follow their example,” he said.

“I will work day and night with one purpose, which is to build a stronger Canada for everyone.”

Carney wasted no time in unveiling his upcoming government’s first big policy: The end of Canada’s consumer carbon tax.

“I am a pragmatist above all. When I see something isn’t working, I change it,” he said.

“My government will immediately eliminate the divisive consumer carbon tax on families and farmers and small and medium-sized businesses.”

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That announcement was met with thunderous applause from the same Liberal party that fought tooth-and-nail to enact and maintain the contentious and expensive tax in the first place.

Carney also announced he’ll end an expected hike to the capital gains tax’s inclusion rate.

Carney also vowed his government will maintain its regime of retaliation until U.S. President Donald Trump drops his tariffs against Canada.

“The Americans — they want our resources, our water, our land, our country,” Carney said.

“If they succeed, they will destroy our way of life.”

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Carney, however, will have to govern from outside of the House of Commons as he doesn’t hold a seat in Parliament.

“I will need help, I will need a lot of help,” Carney continued.

“I’d like to thank Chrystia, Frank and Karina for your energy, ideas and leadership you have brought to this campaign.”

Carney said the Liberals are united, strong and ready to fight for a better Canada.

“Two months ago, I put up my hand to run for leader because I felt we needed big changes — big changes guided by strong Canadian values,” he said.

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During remarks made before the winner was announced, Ella-Grace Trudeau — introducing her father Justin Trudeau to the stage — said the family’s looking forward to time outside of the limelight.

“Imagine constantly seeing your dad or even news about him as you scroll through your feed,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing more of him at home and less of him online.”

Justin Trudeau, his voice slightly hoarse, told the convention that evening was less about the party’s past and more about its future.

“You remember where we were 15 years ago with just 35 seats in the House,” he said.

“You remember our ups and downs and all those times that people counted us out, all the times they said our party was on its last breath. Like all Canadians, it’s when you try to count us out that we Liberals show our true mettle.”

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