Prime Minister Mark Carney has been named The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year for 2025. The announcement, made on December 22, 2025, recognizes the Liberal leader's dominant role in shaping the national conversation over the past twelve months.
A Year of Political Transformation
The designation follows a landmark year for Carney, which began with his decisive victory in the Liberal Party leadership race. He was announced as the party's new leader at an event in Ottawa on Sunday, March 9, 2025. His ascent to the prime minister's office and his subsequent policy directions have kept him at the forefront of Canadian public life, edging out other significant national stories.
The Newsmaker of the Year title is awarded annually by the country's national news agency to the individual or group that has generated the most impactful news coverage. Carney's economic background and his early moves on the national stage, including initial steps on artificial intelligence policy, solidified his status as a central figure.
Defining a National Agenda
While the announcement focuses on Carney, it was released alongside a digest of other major national and regional stories from the same day, illustrating the breadth of news in Canada. These included significant events such as a major fentanyl trafficking bust, extreme weather warnings, and various local community reports.
However, the narrative of Carney's political rise and his government's early actions proved to be the most compelling story for editors and news directors across the country. The recognition underscores the significant transition in federal leadership and the public's focus on the new prime minister's agenda.
A Legacy of Influential Honourees
The Newsmaker of the Year award has a long history of highlighting figures who have left an indelible mark on Canada, from politicians and activists to athletes and cultural icons. By selecting Prime Minister Carney, The Canadian Press signals that his first year as the nation's leader was defining, setting the tone for the political and policy debates that will follow in the years to come.
The award solidifies 2025 as the year Mark Carney successfully transitioned from a celebrated economist and former central banker to the most powerful elected official in Canada, capturing the nation's attention and steering its political discourse.
