OTTAWA — Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland called Friday for four Liberal leadership debates and said the other 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."
Emily Williams, a spokesperson for Mark Carney's campaign, said that Carney is "fully committed to running in the next general election" and "ready to lead the Liberal party to victory in 2025 and to build the party for years to come.”
Karina Gould's campaign replied that she agrees with both of Freeland's suggestions and is already on record saying she'll run in the next election.
Carney was set to seize the news agenda early morning Friday but made no public appearances after his event was abruptly cancelled late Thursday.
Northern Ontario Liberal MPs were set to back Carney for leader at an early morning news conference on Parliament Hill. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, who is backing Carney, said Friday the event was cancelled because of a scheduling conflict and it likely will be moved to somewhere in northern Ontario.
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.
Freeland is set to appear on the popular Radio-Canada program Tout le monde en parle on Sunday — an informal talk-show setting where she can make her pitch to francophone Liberals in Quebec. She granted her first interview of the race to TVA in French, suggesting she's planning a heavy push for votes in the province.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne has an event planned for Sunday in Shawinigan, Que., former Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien's hometown. Champagne is widely expected to endorse Carney for leader at the event.
Thursday marked the deadline for contestants to file their registration papers — meaning no other challengers can now enter the race.
The party is currently reviewing their applications and will determine within a 10-day period who met the conditions to be on the ballot. But when asked Thursday and Friday who sent in the paperwork to run, the party refused to clarify.
Candidates must still pay the party a steep entry fee by Feb. 17 — $350,000 in total.
The field currently consists of Carney, Freeland, Liberal MPs Gould, Jaime Battiste and Chandra Arya, and former Liberal MPs Frank Baylis and Ruby Dhalla.
Michael Clark, who sought to enter the race to reopen the abortion debate within the party, said in a video post that he failed to get enough signatures to enter the race.
Candidates only have until Monday to sign up new members who can vote for them in the race, which ends March 9.
The party would not provide information about recent membership levels.
"We will have more to say about registered Liberal numbers as we approach the deadline on the 27th," said Liberal party spokesperson Parker Lund.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2025.
Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
