Today, as the Premiers meet with Justin Trudeau to forge a unified strategy (sans Alberta Premier Smith) to address the challenges Canada faces with the incoming Donald Trump presidency, I turn my nib on the Liberal leadership contest. With Trudeau preparing to step down, the Liberal Party is embroiled in a chaotic and urgent leadership race. This contest will be pivotal, not just for the party, but for Canada's ability to navigate international challenges like potential U.S. tariffs and deportations.

Among the candidates, Mark Carney stands out with his economic expertise, though he faces criticism for his perceived elite connections. Chrystia Freeland positions herself as a candidate for change, known for her strong stance on economic and diplomatic issues. Meanwhile, Karina Gould brings a youthful perspective, though she's seen as a long-shot. The outcome of this race will significantly shape Canada’s future, particularly in how we respond to international pressures.

On Tuesday, I turned to my daily interactions to gauge who people might prefer as the next Prime Minister. I expected most responses to lean centre or centre-left, but I was glad to see a variety of opinions. Here are some of the key insights:

Support for Mark Carney: Several commenters praised Carney for his brilliance, experience, and integrity. One noted, "Mark Carney… brilliant, experienced, a man of character and dignity, with a long and positive resume." Another emphasized his competence and foreign affairs ability, contrasting it with Pierre Poilievre’s limited experience: "Carney has demonstrated his knowledge, experience, and foreign affairs ability through his roles at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England."

Support for Chrystia Freeland: Freeland’s supporters highlighted her experience and ability to handle tough international situations, particularly with Trump. One comment noted, "Chrystia Freeland has the experience to deal with the incoming POTUS. He despises her, which means she knows what she's doing when handling him and his lackeys."

Skepticism Towards Pierre Poilievre: While some see Poilievre as the inevitable next PM due to current polling, others are wary of his leadership. One pointed out, "Anyone who wants PP to be Prime Minister will soon be complaining about him in 2 or 3 years, saying 'PP is bad' and 'he needs to resign.'" Another commenter warned, "Pierre Poilievre must be stopped. He'll sell out Canada to Trump."

Diverse Opinions on Other Candidates: Karina Gould received a mention for her youthful perspective, though she is considered a long-shot. Some commenters also expressed a desire for alternatives like Jagmeet Singh or even leaders from other parties like Mike Schreiner or Wab Kinew. One comment highlighted the need for a strong leader to stand up to Trump, referencing Elizabeth May as a passionate speaker against him.

General Reflections: Some commenters reflected on Trudeau's tenure and the future challenges for the Liberal Party. One observed, "I think whoever the Liberals pick for this upcoming election will be a sacrificial lamb, much like Kim Campbell after the Brian Mulroney years." Another lamented, "I still haven't figured out why people are so against Justin Trudeau! He's not that bad. I think we'll miss him when he's gone."

These comments reflect a broad spectrum of opinions and underline the complex dynamics at play in this leadership contest. As we move forward, the choice of leader will have profound implications for Canada’s future, both domestically and on the world stage.

Enjoy the January 16, 2025 making-of animated editorial cartoon below. Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. Posts come out every Friday or Saturday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. What you’re reading now is regarded as a “note”, which is used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cartoons.

Making of clip