Government House leader Karina Gould confirmed Saturday afternoon that she’s running in the Liberal leadership contest, becoming the youngest candidate so far to throw their hat into the ring to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In a video posted to social media, Gould said that “we need new leadership to fight for everyday Canadians. A leader who understands what people are going through and works every day to make their lives better.”
“I’m here for Canada. Today, tomorrow and for years to come,” Gould said.
The Burlington, Ont., MP was elected in 2015 and has served in Trudeau’s cabinet since 2017. Gould first took on the democratic institutions portfolio, then became minister of international development.
After the 2021 federal election, Gould became minister of families, children and social development. In that role, she helped usher in one of the federal government’s key policies: $10-a-day child care.
As the government’s leader in the House of Commons, Gould routinely squares off against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
In her campaign video, Gould said Canadians “have lost faith” in the Liberal Party and “we have to earn back their trust. We need to rebuild our party so that we can keep building our country.”
Gould, 37, is the youngest candidate in the leadership race so far. She’s also the only person in Trudeau’s cabinet to announce a bid; several current ministers have announced they won’t run in the contest.
More to come.
