Innovation Minister Champagne, former B.C. premier Clark not running to replace Trudeau
House leader Karina Gould will launch leadership bid this week: source
The pool of potential candidates to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to dwindle with both former B.C. premier Christy Clark and Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne announcing they won't seek the Liberal Party leadership.
Clark made her announcement Tuesday, just days after she had to walk back a claim that she was never a member of the Conservative Party.
Joining the ever-growing list of cabinet ministers who aren't seeking their boss's position, Champagne told the Canadian Club Toronto shortly after that he will also not be seeking the leadership.
"I will dedicate my energy to defend Canada, to defend Canadians, to defend Canadian businesses," he told the crowd.
"It was probably one of the most difficult decisions in my life but I think it's the right one at the right time."
Trudeau announced last week he will step down once his party chooses a successor, as he stared down a growing revolt in caucus and struggling poll numbers.
Champagne, who's earned the nickname "Franky Bubbles" on Parliament Hill for his animated personality, had signalled his interest in the job. The Saint-Maurice-Champlain MP grew his profile as the minister in charge of Canada's multi-billion-dollar investments in electric vehicle and battery production.
Speaking on stage with business reporter Amanda Lang, he did not answer whether he'll run in the federal election later this year.
"Can I take one decision at a time?" he responded.
Clark says race too short, her French not good enough
Clark told supporters she made the "difficult decision" to step back because there isn't enough time to mount a successful campaign. Clark also said while she's been working on her French, "it's not where it needs to be" for her to connect with francophone Canadians.
In an interview that aired Saturday, Clark told CBC Radio's The House she was "seriously thinking about" running to replace Trudeau. She also denied ever being a member of the Conservative Party.
Clark publicly endorsed Jean Charest in the Conservative leadership race in 2022, and said she intended to join the party to vote for her preferred candidate.
"I never got a membership and I never got a ballot," Clark told host Catherine Cullen.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party refuted Clark's claims and provided a screenshot of their records.
"Well, I misspoke. Sh*t happens. Lesson learned," the former premier later posted on social media.
Stephen Smart, Clark's former press secretary when she was premier, said it was clear she had been preparing her leadership campaign for months, studying French and appearing at the Calgary Stampede.
While the CBC interview wasn't the only factor, Smart, now a communications consultant, said "it dug a hole further in an already tough uphill climb."
Kareem Allam, a Vancouver-based political strategist, said Clark did not have time to recover from the gaffe given the short time frame of the race.
"That gaffe, the error in fact around her membership surrounding the Conservative Party and then her defence and justification, really eroded the credibility of her campaign," Allam said.
The Liberal Party announced they will choose their next leader — and Canada's next prime minister — on March 9. Hopefuls have until Jan. 23 to declare their candidacy. People can register with the party to vote in the leadership race up until Jan. 27.
Clark used her "thank you" note to supporters to take a parting shot at the Liberal Party's main rival — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
"I won't be in this leadership race, but I won't stop fighting. Pierre Poilievre would rather attack Canadians than call out Donald Trump," she wrote.
"He's a bully when he's here at home and a pathetic pushover for the MAGA Republicans. We don't need Governor Poilievre. We need the Liberal Party at the top of its game."
Race narrowing
The race to replace Trudeau is coming into focus as a number of contenders are set to declare their intentions in the coming days.
House leader Karina Gould will launch a leadership bid this week, according to a source with knowledge of her plans. The 37-year-old would be the youngest candidate in the race.
During a news conference in her Burlington, Ont., riding on Tuesday, Gould would only say that she'll have more to add soon.
"I think it is extremely important that we have a younger voice in the race who can relate to people where they are," she said.
Former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to announce a bid for the Liberal leadership within the week, a source has told CBC News/Radio-Canada.
Sources said to expect Freeland to officially make the announcement before U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is sworn in next Monday.
Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is expected to formally announce his bid Thursday, according to a source close to him.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is still deciding and will not announce his plans this week, according to a source.
Only three candidates have officially said they will run to be Trudeau's replacement.
Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste said Monday that he would be seeking the leadership. Ottawa MP Chandra Arya and former Montreal MP Frank Baylis declared their intentions to run last week.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Katie DeRosa