House leader Karina Gould announces she's running in the Liberal leadership contest

Government House leader Karina Gould confirmed Saturday afternoon that she's running in the Liberal leadership contest, becoming the youngest candidate so far to throw their hat into the ring to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In a video posted to social media, Gould said that "we need new leadership to fight for everyday Canadians. A leader who understands what people are going through and works every day to make their lives better."

"I'm here for Canada. Today, tomorrow and for years to come," Gould said.

Gould's announcement comes after former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney announced his own bid for the party leadership on Thursday. Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland has also confirmed she's running in the contest.

The Burlington, Ont., MP was elected in 2015 and has served in Trudeau's cabinet since 2017. She first took on the democratic institutions portfolio and made history in that role as the first federal cabinet minister to take maternity leave. She then became minister of international development.

After the 2021 federal election, Gould became minister of families, children and social development. In that role, she helped usher in one of the federal government's key policies: $10-a-day child care.

As the government's leader in the House of Commons, Gould routinely squares off against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

In her campaign video, Gould said Canadians "have lost faith" in the Liberal Party and "we have to earn back their trust. We need to rebuild our party so that we can keep building our country."

Gould, 37, is the youngest candidate in the leadership race so far. She's also the only person in Trudeau's cabinet to announce a bid; several current ministers have announced they won't run in the contest.

MP Chandra Arya, who represents the Ottawa-area riding of Nepean; former Montreal MP and businessman Frank Baylis; and MP Jaime Battiste, who represents the Nova Scotia riding of Sydney—Victoria, have all declared they're running for the leadership.

Gould, Freeland play up Canadian identity 

Hours before Gould's announcement, Freeland posted her own campaign video playing up Canadian identity and taking swipes at U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on Monday and could level punishing tariffs on Canadian goods the same day.

"I'll let you in on a little secret," Freeland said. "Donald Trump doesn't like me very much."

After Freeland shocked Ottawa by resigning from Trudeau's cabinet in December, Trump said on social media that "her behaviour was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!"

WATCH | Freeland, Gould release campaign videos for Liberal leadership: 

Freeland, Gould release campaign videos for Liberal leadership

8 hours ago

Duration 4:50

Government House leader Karina Gould announced Saturday in a video posted to social media that she's running in the Liberal leadership contest, becoming the youngest candidate so far. Hours before Gould's announcement, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland posted her own campaign video playing up Canadian identity and taking swipes at U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

In her video, Freeland pushed back on Trump — who has repeatedly talked about absorbing Canada — and said "we're a proud country. The true north, strong and free.... A country worth fighting for."

"Trump thinks we're for sale, but he can't take what isn't his. We're not going to let him," Freeland added.

Gould said in her video that Canadians "are feeling nervous about the future right now" in part because of "what's going on south of the border."

"There are people out there tearing down Canada, saying the country is broken, saying we should become American...." she said. "We are strong, hardworking and caring people who do not back down from fighting for what is right."