Trudeau's Liberal Party To Announce Canada's New PM On March 9; Who Are In Fray

Last Updated:January 10, 2025, 21:13 IST

Trudeau's Liberal Party leader said it would conclude the leadership race on March 9 and a new leader would be announced on the same day, following Trudeau's decision to step down as PM.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday. (Reuters)

Canada’s outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party on Thursday (local time) said he would announce the new leader on March 9 ahead of the general elections which his party is widely expected to lose to the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre.

Trudeau had announced on Monday that he would step down as PM and party leader after a successor was chosen amid pressure from lawmakers and widespread unpopularity as the country reels from a financial and housing crisis.

“After a robust and secure nationwide process, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader on March 9, and be ready to fight and win the 2025 election," the party said in a statement. The party’s Board of Directors also met on Thursday evening to discuss and outline the initial rules of the upcoming leadership race.

The party said the leadership vote would conclude on March 9 and a new leader would be announced on the same data. The deadline to become a registered Liberal and become eligible to vote in the leadership is January 27. The entrance fee for a candidate to join the leadership race will be C$350,000 ($242,920.60).

The transition comes amid challenging times for Canada, as US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian imports and also refers to the country as the 51st state of the United States.

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Who Is In The Fray In Canada’s Leadership Race

Chrystia Freeland: Serving as Trudeau’s deputy PM and Finance Minister, all eyes would be on Freeland as she is billed as the most high-profile contender to replace Trudeau with her strong international credentials and economic expertise. It was her shock resignation last month that plunged the Trudeau government in its latest crisis. Freeland is currently leading in polls, although her long association with Trudeau’s government may pose as a liability.

Mark Carney: A former Bank of Canada and Bank of England Governor, Carney has emerged as a strong contender for the leadership position. Having served as Trudeau’s special economic advisor, his financial acumen and economic credentials may aid his grand political achievements, but he lacks political experience which may hinder his chances.

Anita Anand: A former Defence Minister and current Transport and Internal Trade Minister in Trudeau’s Cabinet, Anand holds significant experience in politics, since leading contract negotiations to secure medical equipment at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as Minister of Public Services and Procurement. She also served as the Defence Minister and implemented military reforms.

Chandra Arya: An India-born MP who has been very vocal against pro-Khalistan extremism in Canada, Arya has officially declared his candidacy for the PM, vowing to transform the country into a “sovereign republic". His parliamentary career began in 2015 and his vocal stance on Khalistan has sometimes put him at odds with fellow lawmakers.

Dominic LeBlanc: He is a senior Liberal Cabinet minister and a close confidante of Trudeau. LeBlanc has significant political experience that makes him a viable candidate for the leadership post. LeBlanc currently serves as the Finance Minister after Freeland’s exit.

Melanie Joly: She serves as the current foreign minister and is considered close to the beleaguered Prime Minister. Joly’s handling of Canada’s conflicts with India, China and Russia have attracted criticism, but she still remains a strong competitor. However, her efforts to woo voters may be hampered by her strong association with Trudeau’s government and her foreign policy outreach.

Francois-Philippe Champagne: A businessman, trade and international specialist with decades of experience at large international companies, Champagne is also a top contender to replace Trudeau as the party leader. Liberal leaders from Quebec favour him as a suitable choice for party leader due to his progressive policies, although he faces challenges in attracting centrist votes.

Christy Clark: Former British Columbia premier Clark has also expressed her interest in leading the party after Trudeau. The 58-year-old politician is a prominent figure in Canadian politics and is one of the dissenting Liberal politicians calling for Trudeau’s exit.

Sources told The Globe and Mail that Freeland and Carney were poised to seek the Liberal Party leadership, while Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne remained uncertain over whether to join the race.

Trudeau announced on Monday that parliament would be prorogued, or suspended, until March 24. That meant an election was unlikely before May at the earliest, so Trudeau was expected to remain in charge when Trump takes office on January 20.

The next Canadian election must be held by October 20 and polls show that voters – angry over high prices and a shortage of affordable housing – are set to elect the opposition Conservatives and hand the Liberals a resounding defeat, no matter who leads the party.

(with agency inputs)

Ottawa, Canada

News world Trudeau's Liberal Party To Announce Canada's New PM On March 9; Who Are In Fray