What is the Current Status of the Leader Contenders in the Liberal Party?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to resign, prompting potential leadership candidates to consider joining the race to succeed him.
With the Parliament prorogued until March 24, it is anticipated that the new leader will be chosen in an accelerated leadership contest.
Businessman and former parliamentarian Frank Baylis is the only one who has officially declared his candidacy for leader. Baylis, a former Liberal MP from 2015 to 2019, told The Hill Times that he will announce his formal candidacy once the race rules are released.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is still considering running for leader, taking into account factors such as her role in addressing tariff threats from the incoming U.S. administration and the impact on her family.
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne told CBC News on Jan. 6 that he is “seriously considering” entering the leadership race.
“There’s a new beginning, and for me, it’s also a time to listen to Canadians, to colleagues, to militants of the Liberal Party of Canada,” Champagne stated. He mentioned that he will wait for the release of the race rules before making a decision.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon, among others, are waiting for the contest rules before deciding whether to run for leader.
The Liberal Party’s national board of directors will determine the voting date and entry cost for the race. Committees will also be established to address issues like campaign spending limits.
Wilkinson noted that contenders may need to decide within a week whether to run, while MacKinnon mentioned the need to assess support for his candidacy and competition from other potential candidates.
Former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland and former B.C. Premier Christy Clark have been touted as possible candidates, but their intentions remain unknown at this time.
Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney has signaled interest in running for the party leadership, stating that he will discuss the decision with his family in the coming days.
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, initially considered a viable candidate, has announced that he will not run. LeBlanc expressed his focus on preparing for potential tariffs from the United States as the reason for his decision.
