A federal election could be called in a matter of weeks. Whether it does, and whether the NWT is ready, is another question.
Friday marks the end of Justin Trudeau's time as the country's top politician with Governor General Mary Simon swearing in new Liberal leader Mark Carney today as the country's 24th prime minister later in the day.
Carney's victory has flipped the hourglass for the NWT, as the chair of its party's board of directors in the NWT, David Monroe, said the Liberals will have a candidate for MP between March 9 and March 24.
Those are important dates as Parliament resumes on March 24. It has previously been reported, however, that Carney is likely to call an election before then.
In response to Carney's win, Monroe said Northerners overwhelming voted for Fort Smith's own.
"NWT Liberals are proud to celebrate the first ever Prime Minister from the NWT and continue to support his government as we face a difficult trade conflict with the United States," said Monroe. "Mr. Carney has great affection for the NWT and its people and will do whatever it takes to protect Northern sovereignty, strengthen our communities and make life more affordable."
While Carney will become the next prime minister, he does not currently have a seat and is therefore not an MP. The territory's current MP, Michael McLeod, announced his retirement in July 2024.
Monroe said Carney is "personally invested" in ensuring the NWT has a strong candidate.
Previously asked if Carney would run for MP in the territory, McLeod, who publicly endorsed Carney, said he didn't know.
"That's something that would have to be discussed with the riding association," he said in a previous interview with SA国际影视传媒. "He grew up in Edmonton, so he may look at Alberta. It'll be a tougher place to run, but I think we'll have to wait and see."
An election does not need to happen right away - the next federal election must happen in October. But without a seat, there's little Carney can do in the House of Commons to support his party. Conservatives could put forward a non-confidence vote as soon as Parliament resumes if Carney doesn't call a snap election.
If a motion of non-confidence it is backed by the NDP, whose leader, Jagmeet Singh, previously said would force a spring election by the end of March, and the Bloc Quebecois, then there is the likelihood that the government would fall.
Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Fran莽ois Blanchet previously told reporters in Ottawa his party is ready if Carney calls a snap election.
In the NWT, the NDP candidate is Kelvin Kotchilea, who was nominated in 2023 for the next federal election. The Conservative candidate is Kimberly Fairman. She was nominated in 2024 and it is her first time running.
