The race to replace Justin Trudeau: Who’s in and who’s out

The race to replace Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party and Canada’s next prime minister is heating up as more candidates announce their intentions to run. With the deadline for declaring candidacy approaching, the field is becoming more defined with some high-profile contenders throwing their hats into the ring.

Jaime Battiste, the Liberal MP for Sydney-Victoria in Nova Scotia, has announced his intention to seek the Liberal leadership. Battiste, who made history as the first Mi’kmaw MP in 2019, is now aiming to become the first Indigenous prime minister of Canada. Despite facing criticism from the Conservatives for past social media posts, Battiste is determined to make his mark on Canadian politics.

Frank Baylis, a former Liberal MP from Pierrefonds-Dollard in Montreal, was the first candidate to launch his leadership campaign. As a successful businessman and vocal opponent of Quebec’s Bill 21, Baylis is positioning himself as a strong contender in the race.

Chandra Arya, an Ottawa MP, has also announced his candidacy for the Liberal leadership. Arya’s bold statements about not needing to speak French to become prime minister and his desire to abolish the monarchy have raised eyebrows, but he is determined to make his mark on the leadership race.

Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister and deputy prime minister, is expected to announce her candidacy before the deadline. With a strong track record in cabinet positions and a reputation for standing up to world leaders like Vladimir Putin, Freeland is seen as a front-runner in the race.

Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, is also expected to announce his candidacy. With a background in economics and finance, Carney is positioning himself as a candidate with the expertise to navigate Canada’s economic challenges.

Christy Clark, the former premier of British Columbia, is seriously considering a bid for the Liberal leadership. Clark’s experience in provincial politics and controversial mega-projects could make her a formidable candidate in the race.

As the deadline for declaring candidacy approaches, the race to replace Justin Trudeau is shaping up to be a competitive and high-stakes contest. With a diverse field of candidates, the Liberal Party will have a tough decision to make on March 9 when they choose their next leader and Canada’s next prime minister.