The Liberal Party of Canada is gearing up for a leadership election on March 9, 2025, to replace Justin Trudeau as party leader and prime minister. Seven candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, and the party is hoping a new leader will boost their chances in this year’s federal election.
The current polls don’t look good for the Liberals, with the Conservative Party leading by a wide margin – 46% to 20%.¹ The Liberals are counting on a new leader to turn things around.
So, who are the contenders?
– Mark Carney: A former Bank of Canada governor and economic adviser to Trudeau’s government. He’s positioning himself as a political outsider and has substantial credibility on economic issues.
– Chrystia Freeland: A former Trudeau cabinet minister and current deputy prime minister. She’s seen as a strong contender, but her loyalty to Trudeau might be a liability.
– Karina Gould: Another former Trudeau cabinet minister and current government house leader. She’s been preparing a leadership bid and has a strong track record in politics.
– Other contenders: Frank Baylis, Chandra Arya, Ruby Dhalla, and Jaime Battiste are also vying for the leadership.
The leadership election will be decided by a preferential ballot, with all registered Liberals eligible to vote. The winner will need to secure at least 17,151 points, with each electoral district allocated 100 points.
The road ahead won’t be easy for the Liberals. The opposition legislators have pledged to try to topple the Liberal government as soon as possible, and the election must be held by October 20. Whoever becomes the new leader will have their work cut out for them to turn the party’s fortunes around.
