Political analysts and Liberal Party members expect Carney to call a national election shortly after taking power, to take advantage of polling momentum that suggests the governing Liberals and the Conservative Party are in a statistical tie.

Canada’s next leader is a relative political newcomer, coming instead from a decades-long career in finance where he steered governments through major global crises and periods of upheaval – experience he’s hoping to now leverage as he prepares to take over from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Banker-turned-politician’s rise to Canada’s highest elected office arrives at a pivotal moment for America’s northern neighbor’s economy and its relationship with the U.S.