The first announced it on Tuesday, shortly before the second was about to do so in front of the Canadian Club in Toronto.
Ms. Clark mentions, in the reasons motivating her choice, that she believes she does not have enough time to “connect” as she would like “with French-speaking Canadians in their language”.
“I have worked hard to improve my French, but it is not (at the level) where it should be today,” she wrote in a statement written in English sent to people on a list distribution of its website.
She said her decision had been “difficult”. “The timing of the Prime Minister’s resignation simply did not leave enough time for the party to put in place a process that will renew and grow our party,” continued the woman who was a anticipated candidate. Our party must always find a way to generate new ‘momentum’.”
She concluded her message with a “thank you very much”, in French.
Aspiring candidates for the leadership of the PLC have until January 23 to formalize their candidacy, while the result of the vote will be known on March 9.
So far, Ontario MP Chandra Arya, former Montreal MP Frank Baylis and Mi’kmaq MP Jaime Battiste have indicated that they intend to be part of the race.
Ms. Clark joins the list of prospective candidates who have in turn given up on entering the race, including ministers Dominic LeBlanc (Finance), Mélanie Joly (Foreign Affairs), Steven MacKinnon (Labour) and Anita Anand (Transport). )
Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to announce her intention to run for leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada just before the swearing-in of United States President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Former central bank director Mark Carney, and ministers Karina Gould and Jonathan Wilkinson are also tipped as candidates for the Liberal leadership.
– With information from David Baxter
