N.S. MP Jaime Battiste drops out of Liberal leadership race one week after launch

Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste is dropping out of the Liberal leadership race and throwing his support behind former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.

One week after MP Jaime Battiste officially launched his campaign to become the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, he has endorsed fellow candidate Mark Carney.

Battiste, who represents the Sydney-Victoria riding in Cape Breton, officially announced his candidacy for Liberal leadership on Jan. 23, becoming to the first Indigenous person to run for the job. On Thursday, he announced his support for Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada who is looking to replace Justin Trudeau.

“After careful consideration and many discussions, I believe that the best way forward to advocate and advance the priorities…of advancing reconciliation, protecting our environment, and affordable Canada by addressing the wealth gap is to support Mark Carney,” Battiste said in a news release. “I am excited to work with Mark, I am excited for the next chapter of this leadership race, and I am excited that as Canadians we get to stand together to pick the next Liberal Leader and Prime Minister.”

Battiste became the first Mi’kmaw MP in 2019.

The other candidates in the Liberal race include Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, Ruby Dhalla and Frank Baylis.

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