Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney will become Canada’s next prime minister after the Liberal Party elected him as its leader.
Mr Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remains in post until his successor is sworn in.
Mr Carney navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada and in 2013 he became the first non-UK citizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wipes away tears as he speaks during the Liberal leadership announcement in Ottawa (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
His appointment won bipartisan praise in the UK after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.
The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the upcoming general election about Mr Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged.
Donald Trump’s trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st US state have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at sporting fixtures.
Some are cancelling trips south of the border and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can.
The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party’s chances in the parliamentary election expected within days or weeks.