Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney enters race to be Canada’s next Prime Minister

Mark Carney, former Bank of England governor, enters race for Canadian Prime Minister, challenging Trudeau's legacy.

Mark Carney, the first non-Brit to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694 and the former head of Canada’s central bank, said Thursday he is entering the race to be Canada’s next Prime Minister following the resignation of Justin Trudeau.

Mr. Trudeau will remain Prime Minister until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen on March 9.

Mr. Carney, 59, is a highly educated economist with Wall Street experience, widely credited with helping Canada dodge the worst of the 2008 crisis while heading the country’s central bank. He also helped the United Kingdom manage Brexit during his 7-year tenure as governor of the Bank of England.

“The prime minister and his team let their attention on the economy wander too often,” Mr. Carney said of Mr. Trudeau, speaking in Edmonton, Alberta. “I won’t lose focus.”

The front-runners for the Liberal Party leadership are Mr. Carney and ex-Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose abrupt resignation last month forced Trudeau’s exit.

The next Liberal leader could be the shortest-tenured Prime Minister in the country’s history. All three opposition parties have vowed to bring down the Liberals’ minority government in a no-confidence vote after parliament resumes on March 24. An election is expected this spring.

Mr. Carney said he knows the Liberals are “well behind,” but said he would win the general election.