Ottawa: Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced on Friday that she would not participate in the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, citing her commitment to addressing the looming threat of U.S. tariffs. Joly’s decision comes as the Liberal Party seeks new leadership amidst internal strife and declining public support.
Joly joins Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc in choosing to prioritize official duties over leadership aspirations. “The reality is I can’t do both,” Joly stated during a press briefing ahead of a meeting to strategize retaliatory measures should U.S. president-elect Donald Trump proceed with his tariff threats. “My job is to make sure that we’re ready should [he] decide to go on with his tariffs, and that’s why I took the decision [not to run],” she added.
Prime Minister Trudeau, facing mounting pressure over the party’s poor polling, announced earlier this week that he would step down once a new leader is selected. The leadership race is expected to conclude with an announcement on March 9.
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According to The Globe and Mail, potential contenders include former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and ex-Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney. Other cabinet members reportedly considering a bid are Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Transport Minister Anita Anand, and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.
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Despite the leadership transition, polls suggest that the Liberal Party faces an uphill battle against the opposition Conservatives after nearly a decade in power. Analysts predict the next federal election will likely occur in May, adding urgency to the Liberals’ efforts to rebuild voter confidence.
