'A very good candidate': New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc a contender for next Liberal leader

A day after Justin Trudeau announced he was resigning as the federal Liberal leader and prime minister, speculation continues to swirl around who might replace him. 

Among the many possible contenders is New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc – a longtime cabinet minister and childhood friend of Trudeau.

LeBlanc is currently the minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs.

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Chris Adams, a political scientist at the University of Manitoba, thinks LeBlanc’s name in is the mix.

“Dominic LeBlanc, he’s almost the minister of everything right now, and he ran in 2008, and he’ll likely be running again,” said Adams.

Constituents in his riding of  Beauséjour believe LeBlanc would be a good fit for the Liberal leadership.

“Yes, he definitely would be,” said Janice Ann Landry. “The experience is there and he definitely would be a very good candidate.”

Louis Gendron was walking by LeBlanc’s constituency office on Main Street in Shediac, N.B., Tuesday when he stopped to talk about the possibility.

“I would be happy about it. He’s a good man  and he’s been working hard since he’s been there and he probably deserves it,” said Gendron.

Bernie Leger thinks LeBlanc’s recent appearance at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s resort in Florida speaks volumes. 

“The fact that he was in Mar-a-Lago speaks big of how big he’s seen as a Canadian,” said Leger.

But will LeBlanc’s loyalty and close relationship with Trudeau hurt the Liberals in a potential election campaign against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre?

Don  Desserud, a political science professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, doesn’t think so.

“At least not dramatically,” said Desserud. “There really isn’t anyone right now who could take over the Liberal Party who would not be criticized for having a connection with Prime Minister Trudeau because we have to assume they’re going to be a prominent Liberal. There’s going to be some connection somewhere.”

Desserud said the relationship between LeBlanc and Trudeau is more than just a political relationship.

“It goes back to their families. It goes back to their childhood. These are what I would call family friendships, which are enduring and important and important for parties that profess to respect and promote family values,” said Desserud.

It’s been over 10 years since the Liberals last ran a federal leadership race.

If LeBlanc were to become Liberal leader and potentially win a federal election, his constituents would be thrilled to see an Acadian become prime minister.

“It would be excellent, I’d love to see that,” said Leger. “I don’t know if it will ever happen, but I would certainly love to see that.”

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.