TORONTO (Reuters) – Canadian Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday said he would not run in the race to replace Justin Trudeau as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.
Champagne, seen as a leading contender, told the Toronto branch of the Canada Club that he would spend the rest of the government’s term focusing on his ministerial responsibilities.
“It was probably one of the most difficult decisions of my life but I think it’s the right one at the right time,” he said.
Trudeau said earlier this month he was stepping down and would stay in office until the party named a new leader, a decision that is due on March 9. Champagne is the fifth major cabinet minister to announce he will not take part in the race.
Polls show that the Liberals, who first came to power in November 2015, are set to lose the next election. The vote, which has to be held by Oct. 20, looks set to take place in May.
(Reporting by Divya Rajagopal, writing by David Ljunggren; editing by Barbara Lewis)