Mark Carney is now Canada’s new prime minister. The Liberal Party announced his victory on March 9 after a landslide vote. He replaces Justin Trudeau, who led for over seven years. Carney, a former central banker and Bitcoin critic, aims to counter U.S. tariffs.
Carney led the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013. He then moved to the U.K. to head the Bank of England for seven years. On March 1, he told local media that he had started renouncing his U.K. and Irish citizenships.
His opposition to Bitcoin goes back years. In 2018, he criticized its fixed supply, calling it a flawed monetary system. He compared it to a failed gold standard and dismissed it as a poor store of value. While in office at the Bank of England, he backed central bank digital currencies. He believed they could expand banking access and help fight economic crime.
Despite his crypto skepticism, Carney was on the board of Stripe from 2021 to early 2025. During his tenure, Stripe adopted crypto payments between 2022 and 2024.
Bitcoin skepticism vs. crypto policy involvement
Carney’s views on Bitcoin are more critical than Trudeau’s. Trudeau once called Pierre Poilievre’s pro-crypto stance reckless. Carney’s stance suggests even tougher policies on digital assets under his leadership.
In his victory speech, Carney criticized Donald Trump for imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. He pledged to fight back against these policies, which he said hurt Canadian families and businesses. His speech focused on unity, economic strength, and leadership. He promised to eliminate divisive policies and foster a fairer economy.
Carney emphasized family and community support in his journey. He acknowledged past leaders who inspired him. His speech called for teamwork and collaboration to build a stronger Canada. He stressed the need for economic reforms to support families and businesses. His plan includes targeted tariffs to counter U.S. actions while protecting Canadian workers.
He also spoke about governance and economic fairness. He called for market policies that benefit all citizens, not just a select few. His economic vision includes housing, energy, and trade partnerships to strengthen Canada’s resilience.
Carney highlighted healthcare, senior support, and childcare as priorities. He said a strong economy is necessary for these services. He called for unity to ensure a better future for all Canadians. His leadership signals a new era of economic and political direction for the country.
