Close X
Monday, February 10, 2025
ADVT 
National

Freeland says Liberal leadership candidates should pledge to run as MPs

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Jan, 2025 10:41 AM
  • Freeland says Liberal leadership candidates should pledge to run as MPs

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland called Friday for four Liberal leadership debates Friday and said the other leadership candidates should commit to running in the next election under the party banner — no matter who wins.

In an open letter to the other candidates, Freeland said that the four debates, two in each official language, should be held as soon as possible.

"Canadians deserve to see us debate our ideas and the path forward for our party and our country without delay," she wrote.

"I am also calling on each of us to make a pledge to run as a Liberal candidate in the next election and serve in the next Parliament — no matter the outcome of the leadership race. By committing to be a part of this team for the long haul, we can show Canadians that we’re not in this for ourselves — we’re in it for them."

One of Freeland's primary rivals, former central banker Mark Carney, was set to seize the news agenda Friday morning before an event announcing a new endorsement was suddenly scrubbed late Thursday.

Northern Ontario Liberal MPs were set to endorse Carney for leader at an early morning news conference. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, who is backing Carney, said Friday it was cancelled because of a scheduling conflict and the event likely will be moved to somewhere in northern Ontario.

Hajdu, who represents the riding of Thunder Bay-Superior North, said she's been very impressed by Carney's "depth of knowledge" on issues in the region, including Indigenous affairs and critical minerals. The endorsement event was set to include MPs Viviane Lapointe, Marc Serré, Marcus Powlowski and former speaker Anthony Rota, along with Carney.

Liberals gathered Friday on Parliament Hill for a second day of caucus discussions and election planning as the party searches for a replacement for outgoing leader Justin Trudeau. The vote will conclude on March 9.

The candidates only have until Monday to sign up new members who can vote for them in the race.

Thursday marked the deadline for contestants to file their registration papers — meaning no other challengers can now enter the race.

Candidates must still pay the party a steep entry fee by Feb. 17 — $350,000 in total.

Candidates held cocktail circuit receptions in Ottawa Thursday night as they sought to bolster their campaigns.

The field currently consists of Carney, Freeland, Liberal MPs Karina Gould, Jaime Battiste and Chandra Arya, and former Liberal MPs Frank Baylis and Ruby Dhalla. The party is currently reviewing their applications and will determine within 10 days who met the criteria to be on the ballot.

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal government using AI to tackle Phoenix backlog as it tests replacement system

Federal government using AI to tackle Phoenix backlog as it tests replacement system
The federal government is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to clear a backlog of Phoenix pay system transactions as it transitions to a new platform. Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, says his team will be able to share a recommendation with the government on whether it should adopt the Dayforce system as its new human resources and payroll platform by the end of March. 

Federal government using AI to tackle Phoenix backlog as it tests replacement system

Edmonton school board, union for support staff head back to bargaining table

Edmonton school board, union for support staff head back to bargaining table
The union representing school support workers in Edmonton says it has returned to the bargaining table with the city's public school board. Some 3,000 staff, from educational assistants to cafeteria workers, have been on picket lines since Jan. 13 over a wage dispute with the Edmonton Public School Board.

Edmonton school board, union for support staff head back to bargaining table

Escaped prison inmate arrested in Saskatchewan after three weeks

Escaped prison inmate arrested in Saskatchewan after three weeks
RCMP say an inmate has been arrested three weeks after he escaped from a federal prison in Saskatchewan. Mounties say they were searching for Glen Halkett in the Rosthern, Sask., area and spotted him as a passenger in a vehicle with three others. 

Escaped prison inmate arrested in Saskatchewan after three weeks

Six migrants found crossing border on foot in freezing temperatures: Manitoba RCMP

Six migrants found crossing border on foot in freezing temperatures: Manitoba RCMP
Mounties in Manitoba say six people from multiple countries were caught last week trying to illegally cross into Canada from the United States. Police say the group was spotted from the air crossing the border on foot near Emerson on Jan. 14. 

Six migrants found crossing border on foot in freezing temperatures: Manitoba RCMP

Vancouver mayor proposes pause on new supportive housing in Downtown Eastside

Vancouver mayor proposes pause on new supportive housing in Downtown Eastside
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has unveiled a plan to revitalize the city's troubled Downtown Eastside, including pausing the construction of net new supportive housing units. Sim told a Save Our Streets forum, held by a coalition of groups concerned about crime and public safety in B.C., that the proposal is one of three key policy shifts being planned to transform the Downtown Eastside.

Vancouver mayor proposes pause on new supportive housing in Downtown Eastside

U.S. tariff threat adds urgency for B.C.'s energy independence: minister

U.S. tariff threat adds urgency for B.C.'s energy independence: minister
British Columbia Energy Minister Adrian Dix says the looming threat of American tariffs raises the stakes for boosting the province's energy independence. Dix says there was urgency before the U.S. election last November, but "there's more now" as American President Donald Trump threatens to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

U.S. tariff threat adds urgency for B.C.'s energy independence: minister

PrevNext