OTTAWA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney will announce on Thursday that he is running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the leader of the ruling Liberal Party, according to a report by CBC News on Wednesday.
Carney, aged 59, will kick off his campaign at an event in the western city of Edmonton, as per CBC, which referenced an invitation sent by Liberal legislator George Chahal.
Trudeau announced his resignation earlier this month amidst discontent among lawmakers over the party's poor performance leading up to this year's election.
Trudeau, who assumed office in November 2015, will continue his role until his successor is determined on March 9.
"In an era of global challenges ... Mark Carney has the experience required and the leadership skills needed to meet those challenges," cited CBC from Chahal's invitation.
Representatives for Carney and Chahal were unavailable for immediate comment.
Carney's primary contender appears to be former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, whose departure last month due to policy disagreements prompted Trudeau's decision to step down.
The incoming prime minister is likely to have a short tenure, as the minority government could face dissolution in Parliament by the end of March, leading to an election where polls suggest the official opposition Conservatives would emerge victorious.
Carney, the sole non-government candidate, has affirmed his intention to run as an outsider with substantial financial expertise.
Despite this, he shares a strong connection with Trudeau, who appointed him as the head of an economic growth task force last September.
During an interview with U.S. political satirist Jon Stewart this week, Carney expressed concerns that the government had not given sufficient attention to housing and living expenses.
The Conservatives contend that there is little divergence between Carney and Trudeau.
"Carney has continuously championed Trudeau's detrimental policies," remarked Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Carney previously worked at Goldman Sachs before joining the Canadian finance ministry in 2004. He became the governor of the Bank of Canada in 2007 and swiftly dealt with the repercussions of the global crisis in 2008.
In 2013, he assumed the role of governor of the Bank of England, becoming the first person to lead two major central banks.
Following his departure from the bank in 2020, Carney was appointed as the United Nations special envoy for climate action and finance. Presently, he serves as the chair of Brookfield Asset Management.