Permanent residents of Canada are able to become a member or registered supporter of the Liberal Party so they can vote for its new leader.
They must do so by January 27 in order to be part of the vote.
On This Page, You Will Find:
- Overview of the Leadership Race: Key details about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation and the process to elect the new Liberal Party leader.
- How Permanent Residents Can Participate: Step-by-step guidance for Canada permanent residents to join the Liberal Party and vote in the leadership election.
- Leadership Selection Process: Explanation of the party’s ranked ballot and point allocation system.
- Prominent Contenders: Profiles of key leadership hopefuls, including Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland.
- Challenges for the Liberal Party: Insights into the obstacles the party faces and the stakes of the leadership race.
After facing mounting pressure to step aside, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on January 6, 2025, that he will resign as Liberal Party leader and prime minister after a successor is chosen.
Trudeau said: “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.” He also announced that Parliament will be prorogued until March 24, 2025, effectively pausing House of Commons meetings for over two months.
The Liberal Party will announce its new leader on March 9, 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the leadership race. According to a press release, “The Liberal Party of Canada looks forward to running a secure, fair, and national race that will elect the next leader of the party.” The national board of directors has already begun preparing the rules and timeline for the leadership contest to determine Trudeau’s successor.
The Leadership Selection Process
The Liberal Party’s constitution outlines the steps to select a new leader. Upon a leader’s resignation, the party president – currently Sachit Mehra – must call a national board of directors meeting within 27 days to kick off the leadership race. Mehra confirmed that this process has been initiated to ensure a “nationwide democratic selection.”
The party has set a deadline of January 23, 2025, for leadership hopefuls to submit their applications. Each candidate must pay an entry fee of $350,000 and submit a comprehensive package that includes personal information, a political platform, and their vision for the party.
The selection process includes several stages:
1. Application Submission
Candidates submit detailed documentation and collect nomination signatures as required.
2. Screening and Approval
The party’s Green Light Committee vets each applicant, examining their qualifications and compatibility with party goals. Approved candidates advance to the campaign stage.
3. Campaigning and Voting
Candidates engage in debates, town halls, and outreach to members. The voting process involves ranked ballots, allowing members to rank candidates in order of preference.
4. Point Allocation System
Each electoral district is allocated 100 points. A candidate earns points proportionate to the votes they receive as the first choice within a district. The candidate who secures more than 50 percent of the total points nationwide becomes the new leader. If no candidate achieves this threshold in the first round, the contender with the fewest points is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on second-choice preferences. This continues until a candidate surpasses the 50 percent mark.
Who Can Vote?
The party’s updated rules state that eligible voters must meet specific criteria, including:
- Being at least 14 years old.
- Supporting the Liberal Party’s purposes.
- Holding Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or status under the Indian Act.
- Not being a member of another federal political party.
The deadline to become a member or registered supporter and gain voting rights is January 27.
Contenders for Leadership
Several prominent figures have emerged as potential candidates in the race to replace Trudeau.
- Mark Carney (59): An economist and former central banker for Canada and the United Kingdom, Carney is well-known for his finance and climate policy expertise. He serves as Chairman of Brookfield Asset Management and a special UN envoy on climate action.
- Chrystia Freeland (56): The former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Freeland is known for her role in renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – now named US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and became Canada’s first female finance minister in 2020. Her sudden resignation from Cabinet on December 17 heightened speculation about her leadership ambitions.
- Jonathan Wilkinson (59): The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Wilkinson has a background in the environmental and energy sectors and leadership experience in the Saskatchewan NDP’s youth wing.
While these candidates are seen as frontrunners, other cabinet ministers and party stalwarts may also enter the race.
The Challenges Ahead
If the Liberal Party remains in government, the new Liberal leader will assume the role of prime minister. However, leading the party into the next election will be an uphill battle.
An Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found that Chrystia Freeland tops the list of potential Trudeau replacements, followed closely by Mark Carney. Despite this, the poll also revealed that 86 percent of Canadians believe the Liberals would struggle to win the next election, even with new leadership.
Trudeau’s resignation has not significantly shifted public opinion. Liberal support remains steady at 20 percent, trailing far behind the Conservatives. Mary Anne Carter, a principal of government relations at Earnscliffe Strategies, noted that Trudeau’s successor faces a formidable challenge in the upcoming election, especially with the Conservatives maintaining a strong lead.
Political Landscape
The Liberal Party’s leadership race will be pivotal for the party and Canadian politics. The outcome will shape the party’s future and impact the country’s political landscape. As Canadians watch closely, the leadership candidates must present compelling visions for the party and the nation to rally support within the party and beyond.
Whether the new leader can rejuvenate the Liberal Party’s fortunes remains to be seen, but they will inherit a daunting task in uniting the party, addressing national challenges, and competing in the next federal election.
With voting set to conclude and the new leader announced on March 9, all eyes will be on the Liberal Party as it navigates this critical juncture in its history.
FAQ: Liberal Party Leadership Race
Can permanent residents vote in the Liberal Party leadership race?
Yes, permanent residents can vote by becoming a member or registered supporter of the Liberal Party. They must register by January 27, 2025, and meet the party’s eligibility criteria, including being at least 14 years old and not holding membership in another federal political party.
What is the timeline for the leadership election?
The deadline for candidates to apply is January 23, 2025. Eligible voters must register by January 27, and the new leader will be announced on March 9, 2025, following the conclusion of the voting process.
How does the ranked ballot voting system work?
Members rank candidates in order of preference. Points are allocated per electoral district based on the first-choice votes. If no candidate surpasses 50% of total points, the lowest-ranking candidate is eliminated, and votes are redistributed until a winner emerges.
Who are the leading candidates in the race?
Key contenders include Mark Carney, an economist with finance and climate expertise; Chrystia Freeland, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister; and Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources with a background in environmental policy.
What challenges does the new leader face?
The new leader must unify the party, address national challenges, and improve the Liberals’ electoral prospects. Current polls show the party lagging behind the Conservatives, with many Canadians doubting the Liberals’ ability to win the next federal election.
