Author and journalist Chrystia Freeland will be vying for the Liberal nomination in Toronto Centre, the seat left vacated by Bob Rae.
Freeland, a managing director at Thomson Reuters in New York, announced her intention to seek the federal nomination on Tuesday.
With a public profile stoked by her work in journalism, and as the author of the New York Times bestseller Plutocrats: The Rise of the New Global Super-Rich and the Fall of Everyone Else, Freeland said she nevertheless expects to work hard to win the party’s nod.
"My personal challenge right now is all about getting to know the Liberals in Toronto Centre, because I have to fight for this nomination," Freeland told CP24 on Tuesday.
Freeland already has the backing of some high-profile Liberals, including a former MP for the riding, Bill Graham, as well as current Toronto Centre MPP Glenn Murray, both of whom are serving as two of Freeland's four campaign co-chairs.
In her remarks, Freeland focused on the challenges faced by the middle class, of which she has written extensively.
"One really, really big challenge in Canada is the world economy is going through this huge transformation with globalization the technology revolution. And we, as Canadians, have to find a place for our country, but also for the middle class, in that new economy," she said. "And it's not going to happen by accident, it's not going to happen by itself. The middle class is already being squeezed."
Freeland said she was inspired by the "new attitude" Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has brought to the party.
"I think what Justin is talking about is politics as a really positive thing. Government as a positive force that can actually make our world better," she said.
If Freeland wins the nomination, she may face off against another journalist.
Jennifer Hollet, a former MuchMusic VJ who's worked with CBC and CTV, announced her intention to run for the NDP nomination in Toronto Centre last week.
The byelection for the riding has yet to be announced.
