Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has announced that she will not be running in the Liberal leadership race. Instead, she intends to focus on Canada’s response to “economic pressures” from the incoming US administration.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, pending the results of the Liberal Party of Canada leadership race. Trudeau will stay on as Prime Minister and LPC leader until a new leader is chosen.
Though many speculated that Joly would be a nominee in the race, she released a public statement on Friday, confirming reports that she will not be running to replace Trudeau.
“Over the past week, I have spoken with dozens of friends, colleagues and close advisors, many of whom have encouraged me to run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada,” she said in the statement.
She said she will instead dedicate “every minute” of her time and “all” her energy in her role as the Foreign Affairs Minister, to “defending the interests of Canadians.”
“While I know I am ready to become the first woman to lead the Liberal Party of Canada, I must also recognize that the current international situation, especially the unjustified threat of tariffs and other economic pressures from the President-elect of the United States, requires a firm and urgent response.”
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc similarly bowed out of the race Wednesday.
He said he will instead focus his time on representing Canada as it stares down the barrell of 25% tariffs on all imported goods and President-elect Donald Trump ramps up rhetoric about economic sanctions.
As of Friday, only two candidates have confirmed that they will be running in the next election.
Frank Baylis was the first to confirm his bid for the Liberal leadership. Baylis, a former Liberal MP, caught the Ire of Conservatives after his medical supplies company, Baylis Medical, received a $422,946 federal contract two months after he left office in 2020.
Later, in 2021, his company was the subject of Conservative inquiries as well after the Liberal government granted $237 million to the former Liberal MP’s company.
The other declared candidate is Liberal MP Chandra Arya, who sponsored a petition against a now-in-place foreign agent registry which would force agents of foreign governments to register their activities in Canada with the government.
The Liberal party announced Thursday that the leadership race will conclude on Mar. 9, 2025.
Governor General Mary Simon granted Trudeau’s request to prorogue the government until Mar. 24, giving time for the race.
Mar. 24 is the latest time the government could halt business before the feds run out of money, and a supply motion would be required to continue its funding.
Prospective candidates in the race must pay an entrance fee of $350,000 and declare their participation in the race by Jan. 23 to qualify.