Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he won't run in the Liberals' leadership race

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon confirmed Sunday morning he will not run to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Liberals' ongoing leadership contest. His decision means there are still no current cabinet ministers who have announced a bid to take the party's top job.

In a statement posted to social media, MacKinnon, who represents the riding of Gatineau, said the party is "at a crossroads, and must make important decisions very quickly."

"The leadership race requires diverse, experienced and pragmatic voices, both in French and in English. I believe that I could be such a voice," MacKinnon said. "Unfortunately, the time available does not allow me to mount the kind of campaign that I would want to run."

On Thursday, the Liberal Party announced they will choose their next leader — and Canada's next prime minister — on March 9.

Candidates need to declare their intention to run and pay the entry fee by Jan. 23. People can register with the party to vote in the leadership race up until Jan. 27.

So far, no current cabinet ministers have announced a bid to replace Trudeau. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not running, neither is Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc nor Transport Minister Anita Anand.

But Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson have said they're considering running for the top job.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney are expected to run, but neither of them have officially announced their bids.

WATCH | MacKinnon and Anand are out of the Liberal leadership race: 

2 more cabinet ministers staying out of Liberal leadership race

2 days ago

Duration 2:34

With the race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader expected to take shape this week, two more cabinet ministers — Anita Anand and Steve MacKinnon — announced they won’t run.

The only confirmed leadership candidates thus far are Liberal MP Chandra Arya and former Liberal MP Frank Baylis.

MacKinnon said in his statement that he admires "all those who have considered, or are considering, entering the leadership race."

"Liberals across Canada have big expectations. It has been energizing for me to hear their voices," he said. 

"They deserve a real choice, a range of choices, and a clear direction for our country. Like them, I will be listening closely and making an informed choice."