Mark Carney expected to launch Liberal leadership bid next week, backed by 30 MPs: source
Longtime Liberal organizer says Freeland also readying campaign
Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is expected to formally announce his bid to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau late next week, a source close to his campaign told CBC News.
The source, who spoke on the condition they not be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said Carney has more than 30 MPs backing him. The source suggested he picked up support after Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc closed the door on leadership earlier this week.
Carney, who more recently was the Bank of England governor, has long been touted as a potential leadership candidate and would be considered one of the front-runners in the race as it launches into high gear.
The 59-year-old had been tapped as a special adviser for the beleaguered party, with the official title of "chair of a leader's task force on economic growth." He attended the party's caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., in September.
A source told CBC News former Liberal communications director Braeden Caley is expected to have a key role with Carney's campaign.
The party's executive met Thursday night and announced the Liberals will choose their next leader — and Canada's next prime minister — on March 9.
With the rules set, more potential candidates are expected to announce whether they're in or out in the coming days.
One of Carney's chief opponents is expected to be former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, who has not yet formally announced she'll run.
Freeland resigned from cabinet last month, which sent shock waves through Ottawa and galvanized a caucus revolt.
Longtime Liberal organizer Tom Allison confirmed to CBC News he will play a senior role in her campaign.
Allison most recently worked as Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie's provincial campaign director and previously worked as former premier Kathleen Wynne's campaign manager. The news was first reported by the Queen's Park newsletter Policorner.
A number of cabinet insiders — including Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon — have said they are considering running for the top job.
House Leader Karina Gould is also said to be gathering supporters for a campaign.
Former B.C. premier Christy Clark told CBC Radio's The House she is "seriously thinking about" running to replace Trudeau and would end one of his key environmental policies, the carbon tax, if she is successful in winning the leadership.
She also denied ever having been a member of the federal Conservatives, something that party rebukes.
Two people have said they will run: Liberal backbencher Chandra Arya and businessman Frank Baylis.
Earlier Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced she won't seek Liberal leadership, arguing her role in cabinet is too important during an especially charged moment in Canada-U.S. relations.
"I decided to put my country first," she said on her way into a a special cabinet meeting focused on how to handle the incoming White House administration.
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods and has suggested using "economic force" to annex Canada.
Joly was said to have been well-organized and amassed support behind the scenes. She wouldn't say who she plans to endorse, noting not many people have yet declared.
"To be frank, I think that our chances were really, really high," she said Friday of her team.
"Yes, I have an organizing base and yes, we will play a role in this leadership race," she said.
Candidates will have to declare their intention to run and pay the $350,000 entry fee by Jan. 23.
That fee is a significant jump from the $75,000 set by the party for the previous leadership race.
It's also limiting who can vote to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Previously, non-Canadian residents were allowed to vote in Liberal Party riding nomination and leadership contests, which have been called a "gateway" for foreign interference.
A growing contingent of Liberal MPs had urged the party executive to heed those warnings.
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With files from Darren Major
