Candidates yearning to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have until this evening to clear the race’s first hurdle, although it could still take a few days to see who’s made the cut.
The leadership race is running on an extraordinary tight timeline following Trudeau’s resignation announcement earlier this month and an anticipated spring election.
Under the rules set by the party, candidates have until 5 p.m. ET Thursday to submit a nomination package including the signatures of 300 registered Liberals and a $50,000 refundable deposit.
It’s a fraction of the $350,000 total entry fee. The payments are being spread over four instalments between Jan. 23 and Feb. 17.
With dozens of Liberals already weighing in with endorsements, the fight is shaping up to be a battle between former central banker Mark Carney and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland.
Carney’s camp confirmed he’s already submitted his nomination package. Freeland posted on X Wednesday night that she had also submitted her paperwork.
A source on Carney’s campaign said the former Bank of Canada governor is meeting privately Thursday with MPs as they gather in Ottawa for a caucus meeting. The source, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Carney has been focused on reaching out to grassroots organizers across the country and doing rapid one- to two-minute calls with Liberals.
Freeland, who has been doing the rounds on morning shows this week, will be attending that caucus meeting, said a source with her campaign. They said she was in Winnipeg on Wednesday meeting with Liberals there.
Former House leader Karina Gould posted to social media that she had raised her first $50,000 within 24 hours. A source on her campaign team said since launching her bid on the weekend, she’s been reaching out to young Liberals and working to sign up new members.
People can register with the party to vote in the leadership race up until Monday.
Party still has to approve candidates
Both Ottawa MP Chandra Arya and Montreal businessman Frank Baylis also said they have submitted their packages.
Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste has also declared publicly that he intends to run and told CBC News he’s feeling good about meeting Thursday’s requirements.
Parker Lund, a spokesperson for the Liberal Party, says the party will approve candidates “within 10 days.” Elections Canada will also need to approve them, he said, which could take several days.
Lund said the party will only confirm official candidates once they have been fully approved.
Registered Liberals will vote March 9 across 343 ridings, with each riding weighted at 100 points.
