Cape Breton MP Jaime Battiste seeks to launch Liberal leadership campaign
Sydney-Victoria MP calls campaign historic for Indigenous people
Nova Scotia Liberal MP Jaime Battiste is mounting a campaign to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and become the next leader of the Liberal Party.
Battiste made history in 2019 when he was elected to the riding of Sydney-Victoria as Canada's first Mi'kmaw MP. Now he said he wants to make history again as the first Indigenous prime minister.
"Before there was a Premier Wab Kinew, there had to be an Elijah Harper," Battiste wrote in a statement released on Monday.
"Before there was a President Barack Obama, there had to be a Jesse Jackson. There must always be people willing to try … even if their journey is one meant to pave the way for future generations."
Restarting First Nations child welfare talks, pausing carbon tax increase
Battiste, 45, is a member of the Eskasoni First Nation and currently serves as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and chair of the Liberal Indigenous caucus.
He said he's received an outpouring of support from Indigenous leaders, friends and fellow citizens across the country encouraging him to put his name forward.
"I've heard your voice, and with your help, I'm interested," Battiste said in the same statement.
"I am laying the groundwork for an exploratory team that will seek to launch the first campaign by an Indigenous candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party Canada, and to be the next prime minister of Canada."
Battiste told CBC News he would restart national negotiations on a $47.8 billion offer to reform the First Nations child welfare system and put the money back on the table.
When it comes to the consumer carbon tax, Battiste said he would pause planned increases and convene a first ministers' meeting. Battiste said he wants to work with premiers to address climate change and collaborate on a plan for the future of the policy.
Battiste also voiced support for his government's National School Food Program, Canadian Dental Care Plan, pharmacare, affordable child care and housing supports.
Battiste previously faced criticism and apologized for past racist and sexist remarks he made on social media, which resurfaced during the 2019 federal election campaign.
In an interview with Power & Politics, Battiste said the comments were made at a different time in his life and don't reflect who he is today.
"I don't want to be defined by my past, I want to learn from it," Battiste told host David Cochrane.
Another hurdle facing Battiste's campaign is fundraising. So far, he said he's received $40,000 worth of commitments. It's a long way from the $350,000 required to enter the race, but Battiste said he's ready to take on the challenge and plans to launch a social media campaign.
"If I can get Indigenous people excited about this, if I can get First Nations youth excited about the first-ever Indigenous person to throw his name in the ring — that's really something that I really hope to do," Battiste said.
Running for Liberal leadership wasn't initially on his radar. Battiste said he was hoping another Atlantic leader, such as former housing minister Sean Fraser, would step forward.
Battiste said he became motivated to run after speaking with some other Liberal leadership hopefuls.
"I haven't heard really about reconciliation, about the environment, about social justice as much as I would need to, to be comfortable supporting them at the moment," Battiste told Power & Politics.
"I really feel like I can be a voice for the Atlantic. I can be a voice for Indigenous people on the ballot."
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