Premier Danielle Smith says new Liberal leader Mark Carney should call an election immediately. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

CANADA'S CHOICE 2025

Incoming PM Carney should call election ‘immediately’, Smith says

Mar 9, 2025 | 6:42 PM

Premier Danielle Smith says new federal Liberal leader Mark Carney, who is set to become prime minister, should call a national election immediately.

“At a time when we are facing unprecedented economic challenges with our largest trading partner, Canada deserves and needs a leader with a mandate from Canadians,” Smith wrote in an X post.

Carney was elected leader with 85.9 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s Liberal leadership contest. He’s set to take over from outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau in the coming days.

The change in leader for Canada’s ruling minority Liberals comes amid President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats of annexing Canada.

Federal officials have indicated an election will be called in the coming days.

Smith’s Ontario counterpart Doug Ford offered his congratulations, saying he looked forward to “renewed federal leadership” and the removal of the carbon emissions tax.

“This expensive, job-killing tax has made life more expensive for Ontario families and has made our country less competitive and less able to attract investment,” Ford said in a statement.