Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he won’t run for Liberal leadership
Posted Jan 8, 2025 2:00 am.
Last Updated Jan 8, 2025 9:18 am.
While the list of potential candidates to replace Justin Trudeau as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada continues to grow, one prominent name won’t be added.
Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs and MP for Beauséjour, announced on Wednesday that despite receiving encouragement to make a run at the leadership, he won’t be seeking the job.
“While I am extremely grateful for the encouragement and the expressions of support I have received from caucus colleagues and Liberals across the country, I have decided not to be a candidate in the Liberal Party of Canada’s upcoming leadership race,” Leblanc said in a social media post.
Please see my statement regarding the Liberal Party of Canada’s upcoming leadership race: pic.twitter.com/WaqciWRsrC
— Dominic LeBlanc (@DLeBlancNB) January 8, 2025
With incessant threats of a looming trade war being launched by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, LeBlanc said his job as Minister of Finance requires his full attention.
“I firmly believe that at this time, the best way for me to serve our country is to direct my full attention to my job as Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs — working together with Cabinet colleagues, Premier, other party leaders, business and union leaders to make the case against the unjust application of tariffs on Canada businesses and workers to the incoming Trump administration.”
“The threat these tariffs pose to our nation’s economic well-being and to the livelihood of a countless number of Canadian families cannot be understated — and as such, it requires nothing less than my full attention.”
Trump has threatened to slap 25 per cent duties on imports if Canada doesn’t stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants across the border.
Trump has also hinted that he wants Canada to become a part of the United States as the 51st state — a suggestion that although possibly in jest, is ramping up anxiety during at time of political instability and upheaval in Ottawa after Trudeau announced his plans to step down as Prime Minister and Liberal Leader.
