Editor's note: This article originally appeared on ParliamentToday, a Village Media newsletter devoted exclusively to covering federal politics.
It was a rough campaign start for former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, whose Sunday Liberal leadership bid launch in Toronto was derailed by protests.
Freeland was repeatedly interrupted during the first half of her speech by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who, one by one, yelled and made banging noises from the audience before being escorted out.
At one point, two people held up a sign saying “Freeland: Our deputy PM gravedigger.”
Freeland did not stop the event, noting that “protest is important” before going into a speech about how there's a time and place for such demonstrations.
“What is not OK is to get in the way of others expressing their point of view and putting forward their position. That is not what democracy means,” she said. “Are we going to let anyone stop us? Are we going to let anyone drown out our voices?”
The protests began moments after Freeland walked on stage to the song "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado.
Flanked by supporters, both in person and virtually via two big television screens on the stage, the 56-year-old positioned herself as the best person to take on both CPC Leader Pierre Poilievre and U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that she successfully thwarted tariffs during Trump's first administration.
She also promised to match any tariff the U.S. implements against Canadian goods dollar-for-dollar.
“As foreign minister I stood up to Donald Trump, I led the fight to save NAFTA and Canadian jobs, even when the Conservatives wanted me to back down,” she said.
“There's a reason exactly why Donald Trump knows exactly who I am. There's a reason why he really, really doesn't like me.”
Freeland was not clear when asked whether she would scrap the consumer carbon tax, noting that Liberals believe in fighting against climate change, but they’ve heard from some Canadians that they “don’t like it.”
“That’s something that we have to listen to.”
Freeland also reiterated some of the differences between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose cabinet she resigned from in December. At the time, she said the federal government shouldn’t be focused on “costly political gimmicks” amid the threat of 25 per cent tariffs and instead, Ottawa should be “pushing back against ‘America First’ economic nationalism with a determined effort.”
Gould believes she can bring the party together
Meanwhile, in Burlington, government House leader Karina Gould launched her bid for the Liberal leadership, emphasizing that she’s a “grassroots politician” with lengthy ties to the party.
“I became a liberal at the age of 14 because I believe in Canada. I believe in who we are as a people. I believe in the promise that we represent for the entire world,” she said. “The Liberal Party of Canada is not a hobby for me. It is not a side project.”
Gould, 37, acknowledged that Canadians have lost trust in the Liberals and that the party must be rebuilt. She appeared optimistic, however, adding that this can be done by re-engaging members and bringing forward bold ideas.
When asked why she thinks she’s best suited to manage Canada’s relations with the incoming Trump administration, Gould cited her previous experience as chair of the cabinet committee that dealt with Trump’s first presidency.
“I just don't think Donald Trump is going to care whether you were a banker or a journalist or a baker for that matter,” she told reporters, alluding to Freeland and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
“I think what Canadians need and what's going to be the most effective for us as a country is to have a leader who has the confidence of the party, and, more importantly, a leader who has the confidence of the country.”
Gould appeared to suggest she would be open to reviewing the Liberals’ capital gains tax increase and would cancel the planned April 1 carbon price increase if elected leader.
Who’s supporting who?
Meanwhile, Carney has gotten a key endorsement from Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who said in a statement that Carney “brings unparalleled economic experience” to the table and is best positioned to beat Poilievre.
Joly cited Carney’s experience as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England and said “he has a clear vision” for the country and “a clear plan to implement it.”
The time to enter the Liberal leadership race is ticking down. Candidates have until Jan. 23 to announce their bid.
