Chrystia Freeland Announces Bid for Liberal Leadership
Former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland has officially entered the race to lead the Liberal Party of Canada. Her announcement, made on social media Friday morning, followed weeks of speculation after her dramatic resignation from the Trudeau cabinet in December.
“I am running to fight for Canada,” Freeland declared in a brief but powerful post, signaling her campaign’s focus on national resilience and leadership.
Her bid comes just one day after former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney launched his campaign in Edmonton. Freeland’s official campaign kickoff is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto, reflecting her base in the city and her appeal to urban voters.
“Our response must be dollar-for-dollar — precise and painful,” she wrote, targeting key U.S. industries like Florida orange growers and Wisconsin dairy farmers. Freeland argued that Canada, as the U.S.’s largest export market, holds significant leverage.
“If pushed, our response will be the single largest trade blow the U.S. economy has ever endured,” she stated, emphasizing her readiness to defend Canadian interests.
Freeland’s campaign signals a clear departure from some of the Trudeau government’s more controversial policies. A source close to Freeland revealed that she intends to scrap the unpopular consumer carbon tax if elected Liberal leader, stating, “She will not fight Canadians on a policy they have been clear they do not support.”
Freeland also aims to court Quebec voters, starting with meetings in Montreal on Friday. This early focus on Quebec underscores the province’s pivotal role in the leadership race.
Freeland has already garnered endorsements from key Liberal figures. Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald praised her for reversing the carbon tax on home heating fuel, while Alberta MP Randy Boissonnault highlighted her contributions to Alberta’s economic growth. Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier lauded Freeland’s dedication to Quebec and the French language.
Her proven record in international trade negotiations, including standing firm against Trump in the NAFTA renegotiations, has earned her a reputation as a tough and pragmatic leader.
Recruited by Trudeau in 2013, Freeland transitioned from a high-profile media executive to a key figure in his cabinet. Dubbed the “Minister of Everything,” she held roles in international trade, foreign affairs, and intergovernmental affairs before becoming finance minister and deputy prime minister.
Freeland’s relationship with Trudeau soured in the wake of Trump’s re-election and tariff threats. Her resignation in December followed a disagreement over government spending priorities, with Freeland opposing what she called “costly political gimmicks.”
Freeland joins a growing list of contenders in the race to succeed Trudeau. Carney, Liberal House leader Karina Gould, and backbencher Chandra Arya are among those vying for the position. Several prominent cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, have opted out, citing the need to focus on combating U.S. tariffs.
The deadline to register for the leadership race is January 23, with the new leader to be announced on March 9.
Freeland’s entry into the race marks a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party, as it faces internal divisions, public dissatisfaction with certain policies, and external pressures from an increasingly protectionist U.S. administration.