The absence of strong, bilingual Quebec candidates from the Liberal leadership race is raising concerns about the party's ability to effectively campaign in the province. François-Philippe Champagne, Mélanie Joly, and Steven MacKinnon have all declined to run, leaving a void that could impact the Liberals' electoral success in Quebec and francophone regions across Canada.
OTTAWA — The decision Tuesday by a third Liberal cabinet minister from Quebec not to seek the Liberal leadership is casting a spotlight on the party's ability to organize support in a province that has long been crucial to its electoral success.
That decision came four days after Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly decided not to enter the race, and three days after Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said the same thing. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is expected to formally announce his candidacy later this week. Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland is planning to publicly announce before Jan. 20, and on Tuesday, government House leader Karina Gould hinted an announcement is coming from her as well.
Clark's decision not to run also came days after she was forced to backtrack from her claim that she was never a member of the Conservative party. Ottawa MP Chandra Arya and former Montreal MP Frank Baylis both announced last week they will run. Cape Breton MP Jaime Battiste says he will run and would become the first Indigenous candidate for prime minister.
Liberal Party Leadership Race Quebec Bilingualism Francophone Voters
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