Former central banker Mark Carney picked up a handful of endorsements on Tuesday, including from the government's most vocal climate champion, as the Liberal leadership race whizzes ahead on a tight timeline.

The former governor of the Canadian and British central banks announced he was running to become head of the Liberal Party and prime minister.

Carney disclosed his intentions to a crowd in Edmonton, Alberta, the western Canadian city where he spent the bulk of his youth, promising an economic agenda focused on lifting the country from a period of stagnant growth.

If successful, the former Bank of England governor would become Canada's interim prime minister ahead of the next general election

Mark Carney, the former governor of Canada's central bank, on Thursday launched his bid to succeed Justin Trudeau as Liberal Party leader and prime minister, immediately becoming a frontrunner in the race.

Mark Carney will launch his candidacy for the Liberal Party leadership at an event in Edmonton on Thursday, according to a notice from Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal.

Former cabinet ministers Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould officially launch their bids for Liberal leadership.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is endorsing Mark Carney for Liberal leader, the first major endorsement from Quebec in the race.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will endorse Mark Carney in the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, Radio-Canada has learned.