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Here are the prominent Liberals who have endorsed front-runners Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland

Former central banker Mark Carney and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland are the front-runners in the race to be the next Liberal leader. (The Canadian Press)

As Liberals search for a new party leader to replace Justin Trudeau, a few front-runners have emerged.

A number of Liberals have voiced their support for either former finance minister Chrystia Freeland or former central banker Mark Carney.

As the party gets ready to decide its future on March 9, here’s a list of which high-profile Liberals have endorsed one of the favourites so far.

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney arrives for the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney arrives for the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A growing number of Liberals are backing Carney, who is positioning himself as the outsider candidate. Here are his supporters:

-Transport Minister Anita Anand, who previously revealed she won’t seek re-election, says she’s spoken with supporters across the country and is endorsing Carney. She says she worked with Carney through the global financial crisis nearly 20 years ago, adding that he had the ability to “steer Canada through very difficult times.”

-National Defence Minister Bill Blair released a statement to his social media revealing his support for Mark Carney. Blair describes carney as the “right person to lead” the country through “challenging times.”

-Housing Minister Nate Erskine-Smith confirmed he is supporting Carney at a campaign event in Toronto Jan. 25.

-Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said on X that Carney is her choice because of his “unparalleled economic experience” and because of his “clear vision for a better and greener future.”

-Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera declared on X Carney is her choice, praising his “knowledge and experience.”

-Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan said on X that Carney is accomplished and lauded by politicians of all stripes, noting the former central banker has “some of the best attributes of Canada.”

-MP for Markham-Stouffville Helena Jaczek says an overwhelming majority of her constituents back Carney because of his economic experience, adding that she is no longer retiring and now plans to run for re-election because of the “new energy” in the party. Jaczek formerly served as minister of public services and procurement and the minister responsible for the federal economic development agency for Southern Ontario.

-MP for Central Nova Sean Fraser, the former housing and immigration minister, took to X to say that Carney is a seasoned professional, one of the most respected voices on economy worldwide and a “fundamentally decent person” who cares about Canada.

-MP for Brampton North Ruby Sahota said on X that Carney has the experience with managing economic crises and “forward thinking” to solve problems and build a successful future for Canadians.

-Small Business Minister Rechie Valdez said on X that Carney’s proven experience for guiding the Canadian economy and vision for a “strong, prosperous future” makes him the best candidate for Liberal leader.

-Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Gary Anandasangaree said on X that Carney is “ready to build the strongest economy for all Canadians.”

-Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said on X that Carney is the “renewal” the Liberals need and the prime minister Canada needs to confront the threats of U.S. President Donald Trump and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

-Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is supporting Carney, CTV News has confirmed.

-Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault told reporters Tuesday that Carney is the “right person” to advance the work to build a strong economy and fight climate change. He said Carney has earned his support because the former central banker had navigated crises at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.

-Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development Jenna Sudds said on X she’s supporting Carney as she’s excited about the future with Carney as a leader because he is a proven leader and economist that she trusts will make life more affordable while balancing other demands such as tariff threats and climate change and he isn’t a career politician who is in it for himself.

-Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on X that “there is no better person to lead the Liberal Party, and the country” than Carney amid challenges such as the threat of tariffs, enhancing Canadian productivity and fighting climate change.

-Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says she has been impressed by Carney’s “depth of knowledge” on issues in Northern Ontario, including Indigenous affairs and critical minerals.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland speaks at a press conference in Toronto on Sunday Jan. 19, 2025, as she kicks off her campaign to become the next Liberal party leader. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland speaks at a press conference in Toronto on Sunday Jan. 19, 2025, as she kicks off her campaign to become the next Liberal party leader. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Freeland has won endorsements from a smaller number of cabinet officials.

-Health Minister Mark Holland says on X that Freeland has been a “relentless advocate” for Canada, helping Canada through NAFTA renegotiations and standing up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

-Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier threw her support behind Freeland, saying on X in a message translated to English from French that she was “the best person to embody the change” the Liberal party needs.

-MP for Compton—Stanstead Marie-Claude Bibeau, former minister of National Revenue, says she supports Freeland, noting Freeland has shown she can “stand up to President Trump and defend the interests of Quebec’s regions.”

-MP for Edmonton Centre Randy Boissonnault, former minister of employment, workforce development and official languages, announced his support on X for Freeland, saying Canada needs a prime minister who will listen to the needs of Albertans and stick up for Canadians' shared values.

-Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani said on X he’s backing Freeland, noting Freeland has never been about opportunism and has fought for a stronger party and Canada.

-Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech wrote on social media that Freeland is “brilliant, thorough and gets the job done” in a post translated from French.

Despite the high-profile endorsements, Karina Gould, the former House leader who’s also vying for the Liberal leadership, said the winner will be chosen by grassroots members. Gould said she had only been organizing for two weeks and has gained a few caucus endorsements so far.

With files from CTV News' Stephanie Ha and Rachel Aiello, and The Canadian Press