Dominic LeBlanc’s constituents react to his decision not to run for Liberal leadership

New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc announced he will not be seeking the federal Liberal Party leadership role on Wednesday.

LeBlanc’s decision wasn’t much of a surprise to some of his constituents in Shediac, N.B.

“Not really,” said Stéphane Guitard. “I don’t think it would have been a great choice for him to run a race that he might not win. I’m really not sure what’s going to happen. I’m more fearful than anything else that Poilievre is going to come in. I think Dominic made a good choice.”

On Monday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will be resigning as leader of the Liberals as soon as a candidate for the position is chosen.

JM Thibodeau said LeBlanc is a smart politician.

“Knowing where they are in the polls right now…. if he has any wanting to be the prime minister one day, he’s better off waiting until the Conservatives take over for the next four years and then he’d be better off then if he wants to put his name in the hat,” said Thibodeau. “But he’s smart. He knows now is not the right time.”

Derek Boyle wasn’t disappointed at all.

“I believe we probably need new blood, new ideas. He’s been around for a while, but I don’t see any changes,” said Boyle. “I’m kind of happy.”

Jamie Gillies, coordinator of St. Thomas University’s Communications and Public Policy program, wasn’t surprised with LeBlanc’s decision either.

“Dominic LeBlanc is one of the most effective parliamentarians in the Liberal Party,” said Gillies. “He’s been a power broker behind the scenes for a long time.”

Gillies believes Trudeau named LeBlanc finance minister to be the point person in any type of negotiations in the next month or two with the incoming American administration because he’s a steady hand.

“I think LeBlanc took this for the team because maybe he doesn’t have the kind of national leadership aspirations as some of the others,” said Gillies. “At this time with the Liberal Party, especially in the likelihood they may not win the next election, being the steady hand is not a bad position to be in.”

Gillies said whoever does end up leading the Liberal Party could be in a tough situation.

“Well, no one wants to be Kim Campbell or John Turner. Unfortunately for the next Liberal leader and perhaps a stop-gap prime minister, that’s potentially the job. And so one thing that Dominic LeBlanc may be looking at is something long term,” said Gillies. 

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