Transport Minister Anita Anand announced Saturday afternoon that she is backing Mark Carney for federal Liberal leadership. This is another important approval as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet coalesces around the Bank of Canada governor.
“I spoke with Liberals, including some of our great supporters today, to discuss what is best at this time in Canadian history,” Anand said in a video posted to social media. “I agree that Mark Carney is what Canada’s leaders need.”
Anand, who announced two weeks ago that he would not seek re-election, said he worked with Carney during the 2008 global financial crisis and that he was “capable of steering Canada and securing Canada through very difficult times.” That’s when I saw something.
Carney has steadily gained support from Trudeau’s cabinet, outpacing his top rival in the race, former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chistia Freeland.
With Anand’s announcement, Carney has 14 ministers supporting his campaign, while Freeland has five.
In an interview with CBC house On Friday, Freeland spoke out against the “Ottawa Establishment” and said “the core of my campaign is that this is not about liberal elite decisions. This is about the grassroots.”
In an interview with CBC Radio’s The House Host Catherine Cullen, Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland says Mark Carney appears to be the candidate of choice for the premier’s office.
Freeland also indicated that Carney was the top choice for the chancellor’s office.
“Certainly Mark looks like he’s the choice of the Liberal establishment. He certainly looks like he’s the candidate for the PMO,” she told host Katherine Cullen, referring to the Prime Minister’s office. I mentioned it.
When asked if there was evidence that the PMO supported Carney’s bid, Freeland repeatedly reiterated that it “certainly looks like that” but provided no evidence.
The PMO told CBC News on Friday evening that Trudeau and the PMO “remain neutral throughout the Liberal leadership race.”
A spokesperson for Carney’s campaign told CBC News on Friday evening: “The Liberal Party wants change. Mark Carney is proposing a plan to achieve that for the Liberal Party and the country, while all We will build a stronger economy for people.”
