Sophie Kuijper Dickson and Sarah Pledge Dickson, LJI Journalist

Pontiac’s Liberal Member of Parliament Sophie Chatel announced today, Jan. 15, she is throwing her support behind Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, in his bid to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party, which he is expected to announce on Thursday. 

“His exceptional mind, character, and record of leadership are what Canada needs and draw a sharp contrast with the empty slogans, mean-spirited political games, and simplistic solutions, devoid of scientific rigor, that have taken hold of the Conservative Party,” Chatel’s statement read. 

In a phone call with THE EQUITY on Jan. 9, before she had announced her endorsement for Carney, Chatel said while she wished Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement would have come sooner, she was proud of what the party has accomplished under his leadership. 

“I was of the same view, that after nine years, it was important to offer Liberals and Canadians a real choice for change,” Chatel told THE EQUITY following Trudeau’s announcement last Monday of his intention to resign as Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader once a new candidate had been chosen.

Chatel was reported to have signed a letter along with a group of MPs calling for Trudeau to resign in October. While she did not confirm whether or not this was true, she said she did raise the matter with the Prime Minister in caucus several times since the summer, after hearing from her constituents that they wanted to see a change in leadership.

“It seems to be a cycle in democracy that after a certain number of years in power people want a change in leadership,” she said.

She cited the Canada Child Benefit, financial supports for seniors, Trudeau’s work advancing environment and Indigenous reconciliation files, her party’s managing of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent drop in inflation, as some of her party’s accomplishments of which she’s proud.

She noted, however, that recently she felt the Prime Minister was lacking a strong economic vision for the country.

“I think he has a great level of empathy and wants to do great things for the Canadians, great things for the middle class, but I think what I will be looking for in the next leader is somebody that is perhaps more successful in voicing a very strong economic plan and a very strong environmental plan,” she said.

On Jan. 9, Chatel said she was looking for a candidate with a strong vision for building a green economy. 

“I think the world is changing, priorities are changing, investments in a green and clean technology is available globally,” she said. “I think that I’m looking forward for a leader that will be able to position Canada for success into this new economy.”

In terms of who this “somebody” might be, she did not give any endorsements at the time, but did say both Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney and François-Philippe Champagne, who has since stated he will not be running, had all caught her eye. 

The next party leader will be elected by members on Mar. 9.

Regarding Trudeau’s prorogation of Parliament until Mar. 24 – which will effectively pause all parliamentary work including the passing of bills and the meeting of committees – Chatel said she believes it will allow “the government to focus on the threat of tariffs.”

“I think democracy has to work all the time, even during an election,” Chatel said. “We have very strong senior public servants and a very strong diplomatic network. I can tell you, no matter what is going on in the political sphere, a lot of people are working on this file, very competently and with a lot of experience.”

Pontiac federal candidates ‘disappointed’ by resignation timing

Brian Nolan, Pontiac’s newly elected candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), said he’s disappointed by the suspension of Parliament given what’s happening south of the border.

“If [Donald Trump] moves forward with the tariffs, we will be in no position to respond,” Nolan said. “He’s always saying that he cares about Canadians, and by doing this, I don’t think it was reflecting that.”

Nolan also questioned Trudeau’s motivation to delay a confidence vote until the end of March, given that the CPC is leading in the polls.

“At the end of the day, we’re going to have a vote of no confidence,” he said. “We’re just wasting three months when I think we should have launched an election right away.”

Gilbert Whiteduck, Pontiac’s federal candidate for New Democratic Party (NDP), said he too was disappointed by how long it took Trudeau to resign and by the decision to prorogue the government until March.

“He held on too long and in reality he should have left much sooner,” Whiteduck told THE EQUITY. In the meantime, call an election, let’s get this thing going. We can’t wait.”

Whiteduck said he was disappointed with what he deemed to be slow progress when it came to reconciliation with Indigenous communities across the country.

“You had the opportunity to make important changes and movements in regards to the 94 calls to action,” Whiteduck asked. “You work at a turtle’s pace with many promises and great words but no action behind them.”

As he gears up for the election, Whiteduck plans to hold what he calls “circles” for people to share their thoughts and get to know him.

People’s Party of Canada candidate Todd Hoffman said he believed Trudeau’s resignation was overdue, and his leadership of the party hurt the country.

“His days were numbered and it’s just unfortunate that he was the last person in the room to recognize that,” Hoffman said, noting he will be ramping up his events and trying to convince people with all types of perspectives to consider the PPC.

Once Parliament is back in session on Mar. 24, it is anticipated leaders of the three major opposition parties (Bloc Québécois, NDP and CPC) will bring down the government by way of a non-confidence vote, triggering the next election as early as May.

*Update: Jan. 15, 2025 This article was updated to reflect the news that Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel has endorsed Mark Carney in his bid for Liberal leadership, which he is expected to announce on Thursday. THE EQUITY will provide updates on this story as it evolves.