Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he will not be running to become the next leader of the federal Liberal Party.
“While I am extremely grateful for the encouragement and the expressions of support I have received from caucus colleagues and Liberals across the country, I have decided not to be a candidate in the Liberal Party of Canada’s upcoming leadership race,” LeBlanc said in a Jan. 8 statement.
LeBlanc said that with Canada being at a “critical juncture” in its relationship with the United States, he believes the best way he can serve is in his roles as minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs. Incoming President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada, and in recent days has escalated his rhetoric about Canada becoming the “51st” U.S. state….