Former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland officially launched her campaign to lead the Liberal Party on Sunday with a speech in which she touted her as the candidate best positioned to take on US President-elect Donald Trump.
Speaking in front of about 200 supporters at the St. Alban’s Boys and Ladies Membership in Toronto, Freeland highlighted her experience as foreign affairs and finance minister, and pledged to match “dollar for dollar” the 25 percent tariff threatened by Trump. on Canadian exports. to deliver “the greatest trade blow the United States has ever suffered.”
“We will not pick a fight with you. We don’t want to fight with you. But if the fight comes to our door, remember: we love our country as much as you love yours,” Freeland said, referring to Trump.
“Canada is not for sale and our sovereignty is not negotiable. So if they hit us, we will hit them back.”
Freeland led Canada’s delegation during the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the current Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) during the last Trump administration, a point she cited to burnish her credentials.
Freeland’s “fight for Canada” message was so focused that at times it seemed like the University-Rosedale MP was running for office against Trump.
In fact, it wasn’t until 40 minutes after Freeland took the stage that she mentioned conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and even then, only in reference to the president-elect.
“He is afraid to defend himself against people he admires. I’m sure he’s happy to attack liberals on Twitter. But he will never face Donald Trump. “She can’t even take on Danielle Smith,” Freeland said.
“He will be on the first flight to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the ring. “He will bend over and sell us.”
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Freeland’s speech made little reference to her competitors in the race to become Liberal leader, other than to challenge them to commit to running as MPs in the next election even if they fail to secure the party leadership, something she has promised to do.
He also made scant reference to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his plans to resign earlier this month amid growing popularity.
Freeland publicly split from Trudeau in December and resigned as finance minister on the same day she was due to deliver a key economic update.
“As deputy prime minister, I fought the prime minister when I knew the time had come to put our country first,” she told her supporters.
Meanwhile, Poilievre was already active on social media on Sunday working to link Freeland to Trudeau’s policies.
“Carbon tax Chrystia is now pretending she is against a tax she VOTED for 43 times,” the conservative leader wrote.
“As Trudeau’s finance minister, she even increased the carbon tax by 167%.”
Freeland’s launch was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, many of whom carried Palestinian flags or banners referencing Gaza.
Supporters drowned out protesters with chants of “Free land! Free land! but it took almost 20 minutes for the candidate to overcome her initial comments and deliver her prepared speech.
Another recent federal minister, Karina Gould, also launched her leadership bid on Sunday, saying she would resign as leader of the House. Gould pledged, if elected, to freeze the federal carbon price, but not abolish it.
Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly declared her support for former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney in the leadership race.
The deadline for candidates to declare their entry into the Liberal Party leadership race is Thursday.
