Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc not seeking Liberal Party leadership
Liberal MPs gather for first time since Trudeau announced his resignation
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose name has been mentioned as a possible contender for the Liberal leadership, has confirmed that he will not be seeking the position.
In a statement, the New Brunswick MP expressed gratitude for the support he had received but emphasized that Canada is at a critical point in its relationship with the U.S. He stated that he believes he can serve the country better by focusing on preventing president-elect Donald Trump from imposing severe tariffs on Canadian goods.
"The threat these tariffs pose to our nation's economic stability and to the livelihoods of countless Canadian families cannot be overstated, and it demands my full attention," the minister said.
LeBlanc's decision comes as Liberal MPs gather in Ottawa with the challenging task of selecting a new leader.
This development follows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement on Monday that he will step down once the party selects a successor. In addition, the Governor General has agreed to prorogue Parliament until March 24, giving the Liberals just over two months to conduct a leadership campaign ahead of a likely spring election.
Whoever assumes the Liberal leadership will become the next prime minister, though the tenure could be brief. The Liberals have been trailing the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, by more than 20 points in the polls for over a year, and opposition parties are prepared to vote non-confidence at the earliest opportunity, which would trigger an election.
The national caucus meeting, scheduled before Trudeau's resignation, will take place on Parliament Hill and last approximately six hours.
Several potential candidates for the leadership are already emerging. Cabinet members Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson have both expressed interest in running. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is also reportedly considering a campaign.
Sources have indicated that former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, whose resignation last month likely contributed to Trudeau’s decision, has been making calls regarding a possible leadership bid.
While no formal campaigns have launched, some MPs are informally rallying behind specific candidates. Toronto—Danforth MP Julie Dabrusin has voiced her support for Freeland, citing her experience in negotiating with the U.S. during tough times. Ottawa-area MP Anita Vandenbeld has shown interest in an outsider candidate like former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, who has expressed a desire to be part of the conversation about the future direction of the Liberal Party.
The process and timeline for selecting the new leader remain unclear, as the rules governing the leadership process and the election date have yet to be announced. Liberal party executives are also meeting this week to discuss the way forward.
