TORONTO — The Liberal Party of Canada is set to reveal its new prime minister on March 9, following the recent resignation of Justin Trudeau. Party officials made the announcement late Thursday, indicating that Trudeau will continue in his role until a successor is appointed.
Currently, the leading candidates for the Liberal leadership are former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Freeland’s sudden resignation last month is considered a pivotal factor in Trudeau’s decision to step down.
Interestingly, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has opted out of the leadership race. While she expressed a desire to become the first woman to lead the Liberal Party, she believes it would be unwise to relinquish her cabinet role at such a critical juncture for Canada-U.S. relations. “The reality is, I can’t do both,” she stated to reporters on Parliament Hill.
In a surprising move, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc also announced he would not pursue a leadership bid, disappointing many of his colleagues. The rules governing the leadership election were detailed by the Liberal Party’s National Board of Directors late Thursday evening.
Party President Sachit Mehra commented, “After a robust and secure nationwide process, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader on March 9… ready to fight and win the 2025 election.” This political shift occurs at a challenging time, especially with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump questioning Canada’s independence and suggesting potential tariffs on Canadian goods.
The individual selected to lead the Liberal Party could face a brief tenure, as all three opposition parties have pledged to challenge the Liberals’ minority government through a no-confidence vote when parliament reconvenes on March 24. Recent polls indicate that the Liberals are struggling, with Nanos reporting that the party is trailing the Conservatives by a considerable margin of 45% to 23%.
Trudeau announced his resignation earlier this week after losing support within his party and among voters. The 53-year-old, son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, has faced significant backlash over various issues, notably the soaring costs of essentials such as food and housing, along with increasing immigration rates.
Internal conflicts were evident when Trudeau informed Freeland last month that he wished her to step down from her role as finance minister. However, he offered her the option to retain her position as deputy prime minister and a key figure in U.S.-Canada relations. Freeland’s subsequent resignation, accompanied by a critical letter regarding the government’s direction, ultimately became a turning point for Trudeau’s leadership.
Following Freeland’s resignation, Trump characterized her as “totally toxic” and detrimental to negotiations, alluding to her past role in renegotiating trade agreements during his administration. Freeland, of Ukrainian descent, has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, further complicating her relationship with the former U.S. president.
Mark Carney, a distinguished economist with a notable background on Wall Street, is viewed as a serious contender for the leadership position. He has been credited with steering Canada away from the worst impacts of the 2008 financial crisis and managing the U.K. through Brexit. Carney was praised for his term as the first non-British governor of the Bank of England since its founding in 1694, but he lacks direct political experience.
He expressed this week that he is indeed considering a leadership run, buoyed by the support he has received, and plans to discuss the matter with his family in the coming days.
To enter the leadership race, candidates must pay a fee of CAD $350,000 (approximately USD $243,000) and must declare their candidacy by January 23. The party has specified that those eligible to vote in the leadership election must be either Canadian citizens or permanent residents.