Chrystia Freeland to Run for Leader of Canada's Liberal Party

[C0RI0LANUS]

Source: BBC

Former Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland intends to run to lead the country's governing Liberal Party saying "I'm running to fight for Canada."

Freeland recently fell out with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the direction of the country's financial policies. Her resignation from her post in December was a blow to Trudeau's already-shaky hold on the Canadian government, helping to usher in his own resignation after nine years as prime minister.

Freeland had long been one of Trudeau's closest allies in his Liberal Party. She held the key role of Canada's finance minister starting in 2020 - the first woman to hold the position - and helped to lead the country through the pandemic and its aftermath. The two disagreed on how to address US President-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs, among other financial policies as Canada faced a C$60b deficit ($42bn; £33bn).

Following his win in November, Trump, who takes office on Monday, suggested that he would impose potential 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. In a public resignation letter, Freeland criticized Trudeau's leadership, denounced his use of "costly political gimmicks" and said Canada must push "back against 'America First' economic nationalism".

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm277d030evo

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Chrystia Freeland (Photo: Reuters)


Ms. Freeland is of Ukrainian descent and a Rhodes Scholar. She has a strong reputation for competence and has experience dealing with Donald Trumpf. Canada must hold general elections in Oct, but could come as soon as spring.

The threat of a Trumpf presidency caused Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to launch the Council on Canada-US Relations, comprised of leaders in business, innovation, and policy, in order to use their sectoral expertise in dealing with the US.

Source:

https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2025/01/16/prime-ministers-council-canada-us

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. It looks like a race between Carney and Freeland

I think Carney is best and may even have an edge over Freeland regarding beating Pierre Axe the Tax Poilievre this spring. However, given the polling, winning the election will be tough for any Liberal if even possible. We may have to endure a few seasons of Mr Axe the Tax, so whoever is chosen has three staged goals: 1) Hold the party, avoid the 2011 debacle. 2) Form a minority coalition to govern with the NDP. 3) Form a majority. This spring #2 is a possibility, but #3 will probably have to wait. So whoever wins the race must be in it for the long haul, which also means the party needs patience with the winner.

Carney has the advantage of being an Albertan which would be wonderful for national unity. I hope his French is good.

Both are experienced, but Carney has a much better communication style. Unfortunately Freeland can sound like a teacher talking to a 3rd grade class sometimes. Trudeau, a former teacher, also had that mode at times.

[rurallib]

3. Cori0lanus has some good questions below

I am also curious about those questions.

Thanks a bunch.

I have heard of Pollievre and Freeland but not Carney.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. I replied to the questions. . . . nt

[rurallib]

6. Thank you very much

[C0RI0LANUS]

2. Hi Bernardo de La Paz, couple of questions if you don't mind.

These candidates must be sitting in Parliament to run for PM, correct?

Can one be leader of a party (Liberal, NDP, Conversative) without a Parliamentary seat (AKA a 'riding')?

Will Alberta join the other provinces in a bloc against Trumpf?

What role will Jagmeet Singh (NDP) or the Green Party play?

Thanks in advance.

"C"

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Hi

I'm confused. I was under the impression you were Canadian but I seem to be mistaken.

These candidates must be sitting in Parliament to run for PM, correct?

Nope. But if they are elected leader of the party, they are then given a safe seat (riding) to run in. I think there is a Liberal seat in Edmonton Carney could win, which is his hometown. There is also another in Calgary that is even safer.

Can one be leader of a party (Liberal, NDP, Conversative) without a Parliamentary seat (AKA a 'riding')?

Yes, but practically speaking because of Question Period (confronting the leader in the house) and optics leaders fight and win a seat in by-election or if they can't win a seat they are replaced (unless the party has no seats).

Will Alberta join the other provinces in a bloc against Trumpf?

Not the way Danielle Smith is being divisive. Wanting to make big bucks for her budget at the expense of Canadian unity. I think her tactic is disgusting.

What role will Jagmeet Singh (NDP) or the Green Party play?

NDP and Jagmeet could be coalition partner in a minority government. If the Liberals suffer a blowout like they did in 2011 they could be in third place with Singh the official Leader of the Opposition. The Greens only have a seat or two and little prospect of gaining much more than another one or two. They have no power other than moral suasion, but their leader Elizabeth May is highly intelligent and a tireless worker. I have respect for Jagmeet and May, and to be clear I am a Liberal supporter and find Pierre Axe the Tax Poilievre to be a vacant space with only slogans.

[C0RI0LANUS]

7. Thank you Bernardo de La Paz, you explained a lot of parliamentarian details for us Americans on DU.

[EllieBC]

8. Will she tell us more about the Vibecession

One of the most tone deaf things heard in a while. I guess to her, people working 2-3 jobs to get by should just be more thankful and less whiny.