Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he won’t run in the Liberals’ leadership race

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has announced that he will not be running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the ongoing Liberal leadership contest. With his decision, there are still no current cabinet ministers who have thrown their hat into the ring for the party’s top job.

In a statement shared on social media, MacKinnon expressed his belief that the Liberal Party is facing a crucial moment and must make important decisions quickly. He emphasized the need for diverse, experienced, and pragmatic voices in both French and English to lead the party. However, he acknowledged that the limited time available would not allow him to mount the kind of campaign he envisioned.

The Liberal Party has set March 9 as the date for choosing their next leader and Canada’s next prime minister. Candidates must declare their intention to run and pay the entry fee by January 23, with voter registration closing on January 27.

Currently, no current cabinet ministers have announced their candidacy to succeed Trudeau. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and Transport Minister Anita Anand have all ruled themselves out. However, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson are contemplating entering the race.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney are expected to join the leadership race, although they have not officially announced their bids. The only confirmed candidates so far are Liberal MP Chandra Arya and former Liberal MP Frank Baylis.

MacKinnon expressed his admiration for all those considering running for leadership, stating that Liberals across Canada have high expectations and deserve a range of choices and a clear direction for the country. He pledged to listen closely to the voices of Canadians and make an informed decision.

The Liberal leadership contest is shaping up to be a competitive and dynamic race, with a diverse field of potential candidates vying for the opportunity to lead the party and the country. The absence of current cabinet ministers in the race adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the upcoming leadership selection process.