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Chrystia Freeland during a visit to Sherbrooke in 2022
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Chrystia Freeland is making her case to become the next leader of the Liberal Party and, ultimately, the next Prime Minister of Canada. In a wide-ranging Feb. 18 interview, she emphasized her experience, her vision for the country, and what she sees as an urgent need for leadership in the face of external and internal challenges. Freeland will be in Waterville on Feb. 19 alongside Liberal MP Marie-Claude Bibeau as she continues to make her case to party members.
Freeland, who has represented the Toronto riding of University–Rosedale since 2013, served in key roles under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including foreign affairs minister, deputy prime minister, and finance minister. She played a central role in negotiating the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and led Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. Now, she is campaigning to replace Trudeau, arguing that her leadership is crucial at this moment in history.
“This is an existential moment for our country,” she said when asked why she was the right person to lead the Liberals. “We are facing a true threat from Donald Trump—an economic threat, a threat even to our sovereignty. And I know that I am uniquely the person to meet that challenge.”
Freeland pointed to her record, particularly her role in navigating Canada through tense negotiations with the Trump administration in 2018, as proof that she is up to the task. “Canadians saw me face Trump the last time he threatened to tear up our trade deal. There was a lot of kicking and screaming, but at the end of the day, I got an even better deal than we had before.”
She also cited her leadership on domestic policy, such as the Canada Child Benefit and the rollout of $10-a-day childcare, which was inspired by Quebec’s model. “We created the Canada Child Benefit, transformative for Canadian families. As finance minister, I followed Quebec’s example and created a system of $10-a-day daycare across the country. These are all great things, and it is really important for Canadians—and especially Liberals—to be proud of them.”
Addressing concerns from voters who may be disappointed with the current government’s track record, Freeland pushed back on the notion that Liberals should distance themselves from Trudeau’s tenure. “I think it is a mistake for any Canadian, but especially for any Liberal, to disavow everything that we accomplished.”
However, she made it clear that she also saw the need for a new direction. “Alone among ministers and alone among the prime minister’s principal advisors, I was the person who saw that we were headed in the wrong direction, that we were not putting the challenge that Trump represents at the heart of everything we do. And I did something really hard, which is that I resigned.”
Freeland also addressed the internal Liberal leadership race, avoiding direct attacks on her main rival, Mark Carney. “This is a race inside our Liberal family. We were all friends before this started, we’re all friends today, and we’re all going to be friends at the end. If I am chosen as leader and the next prime minister, one of the first things I’ll do is invite Mark to serve as my finance minister.”
Asked why she believes she is the better choice, she emphasized her experience in elected office. “We need an experienced political leader. We need someone who knows and has mastered the challenges of elected political leadership. I’ve been elected four times, including in 2013, which was a low point for the Liberal Party. And I have had to make—and have made—tough political decisions.”
Freeland described her leadership style as collaborative and responsive. “If I am chosen as the next leader of the Liberal Party and the next prime minister, listening to Canadians, listening to the grassroots Liberal membership, listening to caucus will be critical for me. We have to be more collaborative.”
On the subject of English-speaking communities in Quebec, including those in the Eastern Townships, Freeland stressed the importance of protecting linguistic minorities. “Now is the time for unity in Canada. Now is the time for us as Canadians to recognize that as a country, we face a truly existential threat. We need to come together to meet it. Part of how we come together and part of what makes us uniquely Canadian is by being a country that respects bilingualism and minority language rights. That has always been important. I think it is more important today than ever.”
Freeland also discussed immigration and housing, two major issues for Canadians. She stated that immigration is a strength for the country but must be matched with housing construction. “The pace of immigration and the pace of new housing construction must be matched. Immigration is a source of economic strength, but it only works if the social infrastructure, particularly housing, keeps pace. As prime minister, I will ensure that is the case.”
She outlined specific policies to help first-time homebuyers. “I would lift the GST on new homes for first-time homebuyers. That would stimulate more housing construction and give first-time homebuyers a head start.”
Freeland emphasized supply as her primary focus. “My preeminent focus is supply, supply, supply. But I also believe that purpose-built rental is important, and we need to make buying your own home within reach for Canadians who work hard and want to do that.”
As she wrapped up the interview, Freeland’s campaign continues across the country as she makes her case to Liberals ahead of the leadership vote. With her focus on economic strength, political experience, and national unity, she is aiming to position herself as the leader best equipped to take on the challenges ahead.