Here’s what Mark Carney said when asked if we would run in the next federal election

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to journalists outside his office the day after the Liberal's won three byelections. Photo by Blair Gable /Photo by Blair Gable / Postmedia

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Prime Minister Mark Carney was asked if he plans to lead the Liberals into the next federal election during a brief scrum outside the prime minister’s office in Ottawa Tuesday morning.

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Notably, in the more than 100 words of Carney’s response, the word “yes” didn’t appear.

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Carney was speaking to reporters after the federal Liberals reclaimed a majority in the House of Commons Monday with three byelection victories, bringing them back to 173 seats.

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Here’s how he responded to the question about his future:

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“I’ve just led the party into two byelections, and I’m very pleased that we won all three. (Editor’s note: three byelections were held Monday night.)

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“I’m pleased to have a remarkable caucus. I view my role as my colleagues do: to do our job. We’re sent to Ottawa for a reason. We’re sent here at a critical time.

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“I’m blessed by having three great colleagues who are going to be coming in from very different backgrounds, very different ridings, and we’re going to stand up for Canada.

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“We’re going to build this country. We’re going to help unite this country and we’re going to build it for all.

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“And I’m going to focus on that and that’s my that’s my concern.”

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Dropping the writ and calling a snap election is at Carney’s discretion. The next general federal election in Canada must be held by Oct. 15, 2029 — the third Monday in October of the fourth calendar year since the last polling day, per the Elections Canada Act.

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