Liberal leadership contender Frank Baylis is a Montrealer who says he will stand up to Trump

A Montreal businessman and former Member of Parliament has announced his bid to replace Justin Trudeau as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Frank Baylis revealed his intentions earlier this week, although he has reportedly been contemplating a leadership run since last summer, following the Liberal Party's loss in the Toronto—St. Paul's byelection in June.

“I believe that my skillset can be something that can really help our country go to its full potential,” Baylis said. “I want to be part of building our country to the next level.”

Baylis, who represented Montreal's Pierrefonds—Dollard from 2015 to 2019, chose not to seek re-election in the last federal election. He currently resides in the West Island.

With an electrical engineering degree from the University of Waterloo, Baylis co-managed Baylis Medical Technologies from 1989 to 2022. The company was founded by his mother, Gloria Baylis, a registered nurse and civil rights activist from Barbados, and was sold to an American firm for $1.75 billion in 2022. Baylis continues to serve as the executive chairman of the board.

As a leader, Baylis has vowed to stand firm against President-elect Donald Trump’s threats, particularly regarding tariffs on Canadian goods, and protect Canadian jobs and industries.

“These are negotiating tactics from President-elect Trump, and they will not work on me,” he stated. “I have already dealt with these kinds of things. So, I would tell Canadians to understand what he is trying to do. Do not fall into the trap. We will get together and make it work.”

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods unless Canada addresses the flow of illegal drugs and migrants at the shared border.

“These are threats. I take them very seriously. We will prepare for them. But at the same time, they hurt the Americans as much as they hurt us, and we need to keep that in mind,” Baylis added.