Terrace,BC — A year ago, Mark Carney was a figure known primarily to global financial circles; today, he stands as the most recognizable political figure in Canada. Following a year that saw him transition from private citizen to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney has been selected as The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year for 2025.
The annual survey of newsroom editors and leaders across the country was a landslide, with Carney receiving 72 of the 95 votes cast.
A Shifting Political Landscape
The stage for Carney’s rise was set in January 2025, when former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. While Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was long considered the front-runner for the next election, Carney’s victory in the Liberal leadership race fundamentally altered the national conversation.
“Mark Carney’s ascension encapsulates the swings we’ve seen across the political landscape this year,” said Bronwyn Beairsto, editor of Coast Reporter in Sechelt, B.C. News leaders noted that Carney’s success stemmed from his ability to pivot the national focus from domestic affordability to Canada’s survival on the global stage.
Capitalizing on the “Trade War”
Carney’s “elbows up” response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and threats of annexation became the defining theme of the 2025 election. While the Conservatives remained focused on the Trudeau-era record, Carney successfully tapped into Canadian anxieties regarding U.S. tariffs and sovereignty.
“Mark Carney did what Pierre Poilievre failed to recognize — seize an opportunity to capitalize on Donald Trump’s aggressive stance toward Canada,” noted Dawn Walton, managing editor of CTV News Calgary.
Since taking office, Carney has moved aggressively on several fronts:
- Trade Diversification: Launched a “global charm offensive” to move Canadian trade away from U.S. dependence, reopening dialogue with China and India.
- Industrial Approval: Pushed for the faster approval of industrial projects, including signing a memorandum of understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to clear a path for increased oil production and a new B.C. pipeline.
- CUSMA Review: Preparing for the mandatory review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement in 2026.
The Runners-Up: Sports and Social Tension
While Carney dominated the headlines, other figures and movements captured the nation’s attention in 2025:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2nd Place): The Toronto Blue Jays’ star received eight votes following a historic pennant run that led the team to its first World Series appearance since 1993. News leaders highlighted how the Jays united a country otherwise divided by regional tensions.
- Striking Workers (3rd Place): A year defined by major labour disputes involving Air Canada flight attendants, Alberta teachers, and postal workers.
- Premiers Doug Ford and Danielle Smith (4th & 5th Place): The high-profile leaders of Ontario and Alberta remained central to the national conversation on trade and provincial rights.
As 2026 approaches, Carney’s biggest test lies ahead as he navigates a fractured relationship with Washington and the ongoing domestic pressure to deliver on promised industrial growth.
