Endorsements start rolling in for Liberal leadership contestants from caucus

After months of turmoil within the Liberal Party, with calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation growing louder, members of the caucus are now shifting their support towards potential successors. The two front-runners in the race are former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland.

A total of twenty-four Liberal MPs have expressed their endorsement for either Carney or Freeland, signaling a change in direction for the party. Carney is set to launch his leadership campaign in Edmonton, while Freeland will kick off her campaign in Toronto. Among the supporters, fourteen MPs have publicly endorsed Freeland, while nine are backing Carney.

Wayne Long, MP for Saint John-Rothesay in New Brunswick, who was one of the early dissidents in caucus, stated that the party needs to rebrand and distance itself from the current prime minister. Long, who had called for Trudeau’s resignation back in June 2024, recently had a conversation with Carney and was impressed by his experience in guiding countries through financial crises.

Sophie Chatel, the MP for Pontiac in Quebec, also expressed her support for Carney, citing his economic expertise and ability to navigate challenges like Brexit. She highlighted the need for a leader who can address the current existential threats facing Canada, particularly in relation to the United States.

On the other hand, Health Minister Mark Holland publicly endorsed Freeland, praising her for her accomplishments in facing international challenges such as renegotiating NAFTA and standing up to world leaders like Trump and Putin. Holland emphasized Freeland’s experience in trade negotiations and her commitment to the party’s values.

While some cabinet members have yet to declare their support for a candidate, others have expressed their intention to wait for the official campaign launches before making a decision. Liberal House leader Karina Gould is expected to enter the leadership race this weekend, with Ontario MP Pam Damoff being her sole caucus supporter so far.

Overall, the Liberal Party is going through a period of transition, with members of the caucus aligning themselves with potential successors to Prime Minister Trudeau. The upcoming leadership race is expected to bring new energy and direction to the party, as candidates like Carney and Freeland vie for the top position.