Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon Declines to Enter Liberal Leadership Race
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced on Sunday that he will not join the race to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party. His decision leaves the ongoing leadership contest without any current cabinet ministers officially in the running.
MacKinnon’s Statement
In a statement shared on social media, MacKinnon acknowledged the significance of the leadership race for the party’s future.
“The leadership race requires diverse, experienced, and pragmatic voices, both in French and in English. I believe that I could be such a voice,” MacKinnon stated. “Unfortunately, the time available does not allow me to mount the kind of campaign that I would want to run.”
MacKinnon expressed admiration for those considering entering the race and emphasized the importance of offering Canadians a range of choices and a clear direction.
Liberal Leadership Contest Timeline
The Liberal Party has set March 9 as the date to elect its next leader, who will also serve as Canada’s next prime minister. Key deadlines include:
January 23: Deadline for candidates to declare their intention and pay the entry fee.
January 27: Deadline for voter registration in the leadership race.
So far, the only confirmed candidates are Liberal MP Chandra Arya and former Liberal MP Frank Baylis.
Potential Contenders
While no current cabinet ministers have officially declared their candidacy, several high-profile figures are reportedly considering a bid:
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources
Notable cabinet members who have ruled themselves out include Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, and Transport Minister Anita Anand.
Additionally, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney are widely expected to join the race, although neither has officially announced their intentions.
A Critical Moment for the Liberal Party
MacKinnon described the leadership race as a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party, which he said must navigate “important decisions very quickly.”
As Liberals prepare to choose their next leader, the party faces mounting expectations from Canadians for a strong vision and decisive leadership.
Source : The Canadian Press
