Following Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation on Monday, the Liberal Party faces an upcoming leadership race amidst declining popularity and a looming election.
The next leader of this struggling party will become Canada’s next prime minister, inheriting challenges such as rising living costs, an immigration crisis, and President-elect Trump’s aggressive economic policies. The next election must be held by October, and the ascendant Conservative Party poses a significant threat.
A national leadership contest will determine the next Liberal Party leader, as announced by Party President Sachit Mehra, who will convene a meeting this week to initiate the selection process.
Several prominent figures are vying for the leadership. Here are some key contenders:
Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, a powerful and loyal minister who resigned last month, publicly disagreed with Trudeau’s economic policies, including a sales tax holiday and $175 CAD direct payments to citizens. She deemed these “costly political gimmicks” that Canada couldn’t afford given Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.
While a frontrunner due to her previous role as Deputy Prime Minister, her close association with Trudeau’s policies and her strained relationship with Trump (who called her “totally toxic”) might hinder her chances.
Her background as a journalist and her position on the board of may also clash with Trump’s agenda.
Another leading contender, reportedly Trudeau’s favorite according to the New York Times, is Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of Canada. The Toronto Star reported that he’s been in contact with Liberal MPs regarding a potential leadership bid.
Highly respected for his economic expertise and his roles at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, he lacks elected office experience, leading Conservative critics to label him a Trudeau clone.
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who succeeded Freeland, is another prominent candidate. A close friend and, notably, Trudeau’s former babysitter, LeBlanc is seen as Trudeau’s problem-solver, often taking on portfolios where others have faltered, as evidenced by his appointment as Public Safety Minister after Marco Mendicino’s handling of the Freedom Convoy drew heavy criticism, according to the Canada’s National Observer.
His recent trip to Mar-a-Lago with Trudeau for tariff negotiations showcases his communication skills, but his close ties to the former Prime Minister could be a liability.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly recently met with Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, to discuss border security.
A rising star in the Liberal Party, Joly serves on Trudeau’s Cabinet committee on U.S. relations. Her experience managing complex international relations, including Canada’s relations with Russia, China, and India, as reported by the New York Times, has solidified her reputation.
An Oxford-educated lawyer and public relations expert, Joly’s rise within the Liberal Party since 2015 is noteworthy. She advocates for “pragmatic diplomacy.”
Christy Clark, former Premier of British Columbia, has publicly expressed interest in the leadership. She stated last October that she would like to participate in discussions about the Liberal Party’s future and the country’s direction, and after Trudeau’s resignation, she expressed her desire to participate in choosing the next leader and to grow the party.
Canadian analysts suggest Clark’s outsider status and distance from Trudeau’s government could make her a compelling candidate.
Frank Baylis, a former Montreal MP and businessman, is the first to declare his candidacy for the Liberal Party leadership, stating his intention to run and highlighting his business experience and ability to negotiate with parties in both Canada and the U.S. as qualifications to handle Trump.