In anticipation of the official Liberal leadership debates scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, several candidates express willingness to engage in additional debates, yet Mark Carney, a perceived front-runner, has reportedly declined invitations to participate in such events.
During an all-candidates debate hosted by the National Women’s Liberal Commission on Wednesday, Carney’s absence was conspicuous, although the event was not accessible to the public. Former Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla, who was disqualified from the leadership race recently, publicly expressed disappointment at Carney’s non-participation, emphasizing the importance of engaging in debates for effective leadership.
While Carney opted for a meet-and-greet with Liberal supporters in Toronto on the same night, his team conveyed his regrets to the commission and indicated a willingness to engage with them at a later time.
Sources linked to Chrystia Freeland’s campaign disclosed that they too received debate invitations from the Canadian Club and the Young Liberals of Canada, as confirmed by a member of Dhalla’s team. However, these debates might not proceed due to Carney’s non-involvement, according to undisclosed Liberal sources.
Carney’s team clarified that the proposed date by the Canadian Club was not feasible, and issues with securing a venue for the youth wing’s debate were noted, although the Young Liberals did not respond to queries from CBC News.
Unofficial debates provide candidates with an opportunity to connect with Liberal members ahead of the leadership vote on March 9. Carney, along with other candidates such as Freeland, Karina Gould, and Frank Baylis, is set to participate in debates next week to showcase their leadership abilities.
Frank Baylis’s campaign highlighted his eagerness to engage in debates and share his vision with Liberal supporters, emphasizing his active participation in events such as the National Women’s Liberal Commission debate.
The upcoming French and English leadership debates in Montreal will be moderated by Pierre Jobin and Hannah Thibedeau, respectively. Recent fundraising data and endorsements suggest a competitive race, with Carney leading in fundraising efforts, having raised $1.9 million from 11,260 contributors, as per Elections Canada records.
Comparatively, Freeland’s reported fundraising figures are lower, as per public disclosures, showing $226,661 raised, while her team asserts the actual amount is closer to $600,000. Carney has also garnered significant support from caucus and cabinet members, with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc endorsing him earlier this week.
