Candidates hoping to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have until this afternoon to clear the first hurdle of the race, although it could still take a few days to see who has made the cut.
The leadership race is unfolding on an extraordinarily tight timeline following Trudeau’s resignation announcement earlier this month and the anticipated spring election.
Under rules set by the party, candidates have until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday to submit a nomination package that includes the signatures of 300 registered Liberals and a $50,000 refundable deposit.
It’s a fraction of the total $350,000 registration fee. Payments will be distributed in four installments between January 23 and February 17.
With dozens of Liberals already throwing their support behind them, the fight is shaping up to be a battle between former central banker Mark Carney and former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Carney’s group confirmed that it has already submitted its nomination package. Freeland posted Wednesday night that she had also filed her paperwork.
A Carney campaign source said the former Bank of Canada governor will meet privately on Thursday with MPs gathering in Ottawa for a caucus meeting. The source, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Carney has focused on reaching out to grassroots organizers across the country and holding quick one- to two-minute calls with the Liberals.
Freeland, who has been making the rounds on morning shows this week, will attend that caucus meeting, a source in her campaign said. They said she was in Winnipeg on Wednesday meeting with the Liberals there.
Former House leader Karina Gould posted on social media that she had raised her first $50,000 in 24 hours. A source on his campaign team said that since he launched his candidacy over the weekend, he has been contacting young Liberals and working to sign up new members.
People can register with the party to vote in the leadership race until Monday.
The party has yet to approve candidates
Both Ottawa MP Chandra Arya and Montreal businessman Frank Baylis also said they had submitted their packages.
Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste also publicly stated he intends to run, telling CBC News he feels good about meeting Thursday’s requirements.
Liberal Party spokesman Parker Lund says the party will approve the candidates “within 10 days.” Elections Canada will also need to approve them, he said, which could take several days.
Lund said the party will only confirm official candidates once they have been fully approved.
Registered Liberals will vote on March 9 in 343 electoral districts, each of which will carry a weight of 100 points.
