Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland launched her campaign to accusations of genocide and a steady stream of interruptions by anti-Israel activists.
Speaking Sunday in Toronto, Freeland seemed unable to move forward in her speech when multiple people shouted, chanted, and at some points even joined her on stage, with seemingly no security in site to deal with it.
Freeland eventually leaned into it and was able to complete her remarks.
“I am not going to let anyone stop me from working with you, from talking with you, and from talking about how we together are going to stand up for our amazing country,” she said.
Freeland became the fifth candidate to enter the race Sunday, joining former Liberal MP Frank Baylis, backbench Liberal MP Chandra Arya, and then former Liberal House leader Karina Gould, who kicked off her campaign hours before Freeland.
Freeland and Gould are the former members of Trudeau’s cabinet.
Freeland positioned herself as the best leader to take on incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, bragging that he doesn’t like her and touting her record in negotiating with the United States on Canada’s behalf.
“I’m a tough negotiator,” she said in a campaign video. “During the first Trump administration, I fought hard to protect Canadian jobs, the Canadian economy, and our way of life. And we won.”
Freeland says that she left the Trudeau cabinet because she knows what needs to be done to fight back against Trump and his “billionaire buddies.”
“I left Trudeau’s cabinet because I know what we need to do to win that fight again,” said Freeland.
“Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies think they can push us around. Trump thinks we’re for sale. That he can take what isn’t his. We’re not gonna let him.”
Freeland was a member of the Trudeau government for over nine years, serving as minister of international trade, foreign affairs minister, intergovernmental affairs minister, and finance minister.
Last month, Freeland resigned as Trudeau’s finance minister, voicing her opposition to the Trudeau government’s approach to dealing with President-elect Trump and economic policy, condemning the government’s “costly political gimmicks.”
Gould acknowledged in her campaign launch that Canadians have lost trust in the Liberal party. She made a pitch to Liberal members to place their faith in her to rebuild the party and win the next federal election.
“Right now, Canadians have lost faith in our party, and we have to earn back their trust,” said Gould.
“We need to rebuild our party so that we can keep building our country. We need new leadership to fight for everyday Canadians.”
Gould is running on a message of optimism and hope, attempting to contrast herself with the Conservatives who she says think Canada is broken and want to become Americans.
“Canada can be the best place in the world to start a family, grow a business, and build a future. We are a nation of dreamers and doers, creators and innovators. It’s where opportunity, empathy and progress walk hand in hand.”
Freeland has received several endorsements from her Liberal caucus colleagues including Health Minister Mark Holland, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Diane Lebouthillier, MPs Anthony Housefather, Ken Hardie, Ken McDonald, and more. Gould on the other hand was endorsed by Ontario MP Pam Damoff.
