While the federal Liberal party leadership vote is still a month away — March 9 — there are already signs that Mark Carney has established a lead over the next strongest competitor, Chrystia Freeland.

Although as it stands, either would face an uphill battle against the Conservative Party.

A recent Angus Reid poll showed that if Carney is the new leader, 29 per cent of Canadians would vote for the Liberals, versus 43 per cent for the Conservatives, a 14-point lead for the Tories.

However if Freeland is the leader, 44 per cent of Canadians would vote for the Conservatives, and only 24 per cent for Freeland, giving the Tories a 20-point advantage.

One interpretation could see that as Carney leading Freeland by five points — 29 to 24.

That’s not insurmountable. There are still debates to come, and Freeland’s role as a cabinet minister and deputy prime minister might give her an advantage.

True, Carney has held important positions, as governor of the Bank of........

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