Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has issued a challenge to her competitors in the Liberal leadership race, demanding they pledge to run as MPs in the next election, win or lose. This puts pressure on former central banker Mark Carney, who currently lacks a seat in Parliament. Freeland emphasizes the importance of long-term commitment to the team, while Carney highlights his experience in top-level positions.
Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has challenged her rivals in the Liberal leadership race to commit to running as an MP in the next election, regardless of the outcome of their bid. Freeland issued this challenge in an open letter circulated on Friday, where she also called for four leadership debates to take place throughout the campaign. This demand puts pressure on contender and former central banker Mark Carney , who does not currently hold a seat in Parliament .
While Carney has acknowledged that he'll need a seat if he wins the leadership, he has yet to specify which riding he would seek to represent. Notably, when he launched his campaign, Carney stated he would remain as leader even if the Liberals fail to win the next general election. In her letter, Freeland emphasized the significance of candidates committing to run as MPs regardless of the leadership race's result. '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,' she wrote.Carney, who resigned from several executive, board, and advisory positions upon announcing his candidacy, stated 'I’m all in' to reporters. His lack of prior political experience is one reason some MPs have chosen not to endorse him, instead backing Freeland. 'Chrystia is a person who has fought for us. She has fought for us in four elections. She joined the party and stood as a candidate when we were in third place, when people were writing off the party. She got us a seat in the House of Commons and she can hit the ground running,' Justice Minister Arif Virani stated on Thursday. Prior to a meet-and-greet with MPs in Ottawa late Thursday, Carney was asked by reporters how he would respond to those who argue that the prime ministership is not an entry-level position. 'I’ve had many jobs where I came in at the top,' he said, referencing his roles as governor of the central banks of Canada and England and his work at the United Nations. Freeland holds the Toronto riding of University—Rosedale, while candidate Karina Gould is the current MP for Burlington. Gould's campaign announced she will run again as an MP regardless of the race's outcome. Current MPs Chandra Arya and Jaime Battiste are also in the running for leadership, as are former MPs Frank Baylis and Ruby Dhalla
Liberal Leadership Race Chrystia Freeland Mark Carney Federal Election Parliament Canadian Politics
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