Chrystia Freeland pitches herself as leader for Canada in ‘crucial moment’

Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland sits down for an interview with CTV News Atlantic.

The former deputy prime minister of the Liberal government says she is the best leader for the country amid the currently fraught relationship with the United States.

Chrystia Freeland, who is running for leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, sat down for an interview with CTV News Atlantic’s Bruce Frisko during her visit to Halifax on Monday. Freeland, who resigned from outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet late as the finance minister last year, said it was a “hard thing to do and the right thing to do.”

“I was the one minister who had the gumption to resign,” she said. “We are at an existential moment for our country. I take the threat Donald Trump poses to our country very seriously”.

“I know at this critical moment I am the person who can stand for Canada.”

Freeland is one of five candidates vying for leadership of the Liberals following Trudeau’s decision to resign last month. Other candidates include Mark Carney, Karina Gould, Ruby Dhalla and Frank Baylis.

Trump negotiations

The winner of the race to become Liberal leader will also become prime minister of Canada as the country attempts to navigate potential U.S. tariffs issued by President Trump.

Freeland labelled Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre “maple MAGA” and case doubt on his ability to lead Canada in negotiations with America.

“I don’t think people trust him to stand up to Trump,” she said.

In an interview with CTV News Atlantic last month, Poilievre said he would retaliate against U.S. tariffs if he were elected leader in a federal election.

Trump has noted his dislike of Freeland on numerous occasions, which she believes to be the “best campaign” she could ask for. She notes she negotiated a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during Trump’s first presidency.

“Trump knows who I am,” she said. “I know how to get the job done. I know it takes strength and fortitude.”

Freeland said Trump’s repeated calls for Canada to become the “51st State” need to be taken seriously as threats to the country’s sovereignty.

“We as a country need to be extremely clear that capitulation is not a negotiating strategy, that Canada is not for sale,” she said. “We have no intentions of giving up our sovereignty. I know I can lead that fight.”

Carbon tax cut

Freeland and Carney have promised to scrap the Liberals’ Consumer Carbon Tax if they win the leadership race. Fellow candidate Gould told CTV News Atlantic she would keep it.

“I was the first leadership candidate to say I would drop the carbon tax and I think that got the ball rolling,” she said. “It was the right thing to do. Canadians want climate action but a consumer-facing price on carbon was not working for them.”

The next leader of the Liberals will be elected on March 9.