Danielle Martin named Liberal candidate for byelection in Freeland’s former riding

A Liberal Party of Canada logo is shown on a giant screen as a technician looks on during day one of the party's biennial convention in Montreal on Feb. 20, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

TORONTO — The Liberal Party of Canada has announced a Toronto doctor will run as its candidate in University-Rosedale, a riding Chrystia Freeland represented for over a decade before the former Liberal MP resigned from office earlier this month.

Danielle Martin, a family physician who heads the University of Toronto’s department of family and community medicine, is the Liberal party’s pick to defend the University-Rosedale seat.

The president of the Liberal party, Sachit Mehra, says Martin has devoted her career to improving health care for Canadians.

Freeland, a former deputy prime minister and cabinet minister, stepped down as University-Rosedale’s MP on Jan. 9, triggering a byelection.

The longtime prominent Liberal left the House of Commons after accepting a role as an economic development adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Elections Canada has not yet set a date for the byelection in University-Rosedale.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31,2026.

Kathryn Mannie, The Canadian Press