Liberal MP Urges Chrystia Freeland to Consider Running for Party Leadership

December 18, 2024 TruthUSA

A Liberal MP has expressed support for former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland if she decides to run for leadership of the Liberal Party.

The statement from Liberal MP Sean Casey comes following Freeland’s resignation on Dec. 16, which sparked turmoil within the government right before the Fall Economic Statement was due to be presented.

During a scrum with reporters, Casey was asked if he believed Freeland should enter the leadership race. He responded affirmatively, noting that he did not view Freeland’s resignation as a strategic move for leadership and felt she deserved better treatment from the prime minister.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed Freeland on Dec. 13 that he no longer wanted her as finance minister, offering her a different role in the cabinet instead. Shortly before delivering the Fall Economic Statement, Freeland resigned via a social media post, stating that stepping down was the only honest path for her.

Freeland explained that she and Trudeau disagreed on the best economic approach for Canada and criticized the government’s costly political tactics. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc was appointed as finance minister later that day.

Casey praised Freeland as an influential figure within the caucus, emphasizing her valuable contributions and impact on her colleagues. He expressed concern that the absence of Freeland from the cabinet would diminish its collective contributions.

Casey previously called for Trudeau’s resignation in October when reports emerged about caucus members considering a similar move. However, during the Dec. 17 press briefing, Casey expressed doubt that Trudeau would step down.

He stated, “There’s not a single indication, in his actions or words, that suggests otherwise. He appears fully committed…I believe his dedication is genuine.”

After resigning, Freeland sent an email to her team acknowledging the difficulty of her decision and assuring them that while challenges lay ahead, it was not the end of the road.

A Nanos Research poll from November showed that 26 percent of Canadians preferred “none of the above” among several potential Liberal Party leaders. Mark Carney, former Bank of Canada Governor, led with 18 percent support, followed by Trudeau and Freeland tied at 11 percent.

Former B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne both received 4 percent support, while Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Minister of Transport and Treasury Board President Anita Anand, and former Housing Minister Sean Fraser, who recently resigned from cabinet, each garnered 3 percent support.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who assumed the role of Finance Minister on Dec. 16, received 2 percent support.

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