Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly not running for Liberal leadership

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has made the decision not to seek the Liberal leadership, citing the critical nature of her role in cabinet amidst heightened tensions in Canada-U.S. relations. Joly expressed her commitment to putting her country first during a time when U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has made threats of imposing tariffs on Canadian goods and even suggested the idea of annexing Canada through “economic force.”

In a statement to reporters, Joly highlighted the two key questions that influenced her decision. Firstly, she acknowledged her readiness to potentially become the first woman to lead the Liberal Party of Canada. However, she ultimately determined that stepping away from her responsibilities as Minister of Foreign Affairs during such a crucial period in the Canada-U.S. relationship was not an option she could consider.

Joly’s announcement follows in the footsteps of Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who also opted out of a leadership bid due to concerns surrounding the Canada-U.S. dynamic. As the Liberal party unveils its leadership rules and sets the stage for potential candidates to declare their intentions, several notable figures within the party, including Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, and Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon, are contemplating entering the race.

Additionally, former central banker Mark Carney has expressed interest in the leadership position, alongside figures like former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, former B.C. premier Christy Clark, and House Leader Karina Gould. While Liberal backbencher Chandra Arya and businessman Frank Baylis have confirmed their candidacy, the party’s next leader, and Canada’s next prime minister, will be chosen by Liberals on March 9.

In a move to uphold the integrity of the leadership race, the Liberal party has raised the entry fee for potential candidates to $350,000 and restricted voting rights to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. This decision comes in response to concerns about potential foreign interference in party affairs, with previous instances of non-Canadian residents being able to participate in Liberal Party contests.

The party’s efforts to ensure a fair and transparent leadership race have garnered support from a growing number of Liberal MPs who have emphasized the importance of safeguarding the democratic process. As the race for the Liberal leadership intensifies, the coming days will bring further clarity on the lineup of candidates vying for the top position within the party and the opportunity to lead Canada as its next prime minister.