Champagne bows out of Liberal leadership race
Posted January 14, 2025 4:00 am.
Last Updated January 14, 2025 3:02 pm.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne bowed out of the running for the federal Liberal leadership on Tuesday.
Champagne announced at an event in Toronto that he will not enter the race, saying he plans to remain focused on his current job.
“It was probably one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” he said. “There are many ways to fight for Canada.”
Champagne had long been floated in media reports as a potential leadership contender.
Earlier in the day, former B.C. premier Christy Clark confirmed she will not run for the federal Liberal leadership. In a statement, saying, “there is simply not enough time” to put together a successful campaign.
Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney are expected to announce their own leadership bids in the coming days.
Government House leader Karina Gould also plans to launch her campaign later this week, according to a Liberal source close to the minister.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Transport Minister Anita Anand have all ruled out leadership runs.
