Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste has announced his intention to seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada and become the first indigenous prime minister in the country’s history.
The 46-year-old MP for Sydney-Victoria in Cape Breton was first elected in 2019 and became the first Mi'kmaw Member of Parliament in Canada.
Battiste said he has received an “outpouring of support” from indigenous leaders and other Canadians urging him to enter the race for the party’s leadership.
“I’ve heard your voice, and with your help, I’m interested,” Batiste wrote in a letter posted Jan. 13 to his social media channels.
“I am laying the groundwork for an exploratory team that will seek to launch the first campaign by an indigenous candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party Canada and to be the next Prime Minister of Canada.”
He described his goal as “ambitious” and noted the challenge he faces in raising the $350,000 entrance fee before the Jan. 23 deadline.
Battiste is not a member of cabinet, but has served as the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and as a member of the Liberal Indigenous Caucus since 2021.
He is an advocate for indigenous rights and has pushed Parliament to pass legislation to secure clean drinking water for every First Nation in Canada, a promise the Liberal government has yet to make good on. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to end drinking water advisories on reserves by March 2021, but Ottawa announced in December 2020 that it would be unable to meet that deadline.
Battiste said his priorities as leader would be protecting human rights, reconciliation, and environmental sustainability. He also lauded national programs like the dental care plan, pharmacare, affordable child care, and “comprehensive housing supports.”
Battiste mentioned Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Canada’s first provincial premier of indigenous descent, as an inspiration.
“There must always be people willing to try, and there must always be people willing to take the first steps—even if their journey is one meant to pave the way for future generations,” Battiste said.
Candidates for Liberal Leadership
Battiste is the third candidate to announce his intention to run. Ontario MP Chandra Arya and former Montreal MP Frank Baylis are the only others to officially join the contest since Trudeau announced his resignation on Jan. 6. Trudeau has said he will stay on as prime minister and Liberal leader until a replacement is chosen.Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to announce her bid for the top spot in the coming days. Polls have identified Freeland as a favourite among voters to take over from Trudeau. It was her abrupt resignation from cabinet just before the Christmas recess that sparked a surge of calls for Trudeau to resign.
Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney is also expected to make an announcement this week, saying last week he was still mulling over the decision. Former B.C. Premier Christy Clark announced on Jan. 14 she will not be running, citing the short timeframe and her lack of French skills.
The Liberal party has said the new leader will be announced March 9, giving prospective candidates a mere eight weeks to win over Canadians.
The party is operating under a constrained timeline because opposition parties have said they plan to topple the Liberal government at the earliest opportunity with a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons, triggering an election.
The governor general has prorogued Parliament until March 24 at Trudeau’s request, allowing the new Liberal leader a two-week period to prepare for the resumption of the House.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
