Karina Gould is Running to Lead the Liberal Party. What’s Her Plan?
Can she beat Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland?
With the Liberal Party of Canada searching for its next leader, Karina Gould has entered the race with a bold vision for the future.
As a longtime Member of Parliament and former cabinet minister, she is emphasizing economic security, social equity, and reconciliation as key pillars of her campaign. But with formidable opponents like Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, can she gain the support needed to win?
A Different Kind of Liberal Leadership
Gould’s campaign isn’t just about following in the footsteps of past Liberal leaders; she wants to redefine how the party approaches governance. Unlike her competitors, she isn’t framing her platform around abstract economic theory or big business interests. Instead, she is positioning herself as the candidate focused on people.
“I’m a grassroots politician that has always been connected in community,” Gould told me. “Politics is about people. If Canadians are struggling to pay for groceries or put gas in their tank, the economy is not working for them.”
Tackling Affordability Head-On
One of Gould’s key priorities is addressing Canada’s affordability crisis. She is proposing a range of measures aimed at easing financial burdens, including:
Cutting the GST from 5% to 4% for at least a year to provide immediate relief.
Expanding housing affordability initiatives, particularly for first-time homebuyers.
Strengthening the Competition Bureau to address corporate price gouging and ensure fairer prices for consumers.
While affordability remains a dominant issue in Canada, Gould is careful not to oversimplify the problem. “It’s not just inflation—it’s the cost of housing, groceries, and everyday necessities that are squeezing families.”
Reconciliation as a Central Priority
Gould has expressed frustration that reconciliation has not been a major focus of the leadership race, despite significant progress under the Liberal government. She believes that continued investment in Indigenous communities is vital for Canada’s long-term success.
Her plan includes:
Full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
More funding for Indigenous housing and infrastructure projects.
Increased engagement with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to ensure policies reflect their priorities.
“Reconciliation isn’t a box to check—it’s an ongoing responsibility,” she emphasized.
Climate Policy Without Overburdening Canadians
Gould supports maintaining a carbon pricing system but has proposed freezing the planned April 1st increase to help ease financial pressure on Canadians. She acknowledges that climate policy must balance environmental responsibility with economic realities.
Instead of focusing on taxation, she wants to shift the conversation toward green job creation, investment in clean energy, and incentivizing businesses to adopt sustainable practices. “Canadians want to fight climate change, but they also need to afford their lives,” she explained.
A Challenge to Political Elitism
Gould’s biggest challenge will be convincing Liberal members that she is the best choice to take on Pierre Poilievre in the next election. She argues that her competitors—particularly Mark Carney—represent an outdated, top-down approach to politics.
“I push back when I hear leadership framed in terms of economic jargon rather than lived experiences. Canadians aren’t just numbers on a balance sheet,” she stated.
Her campaign is betting that a people-first approach will resonate with voters who feel disconnected from traditional political elites.
What Comes Next?
As the March 9th leadership vote approaches, Gould is ramping up efforts to engage with grassroots supporters. Whether she can secure victory remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: her campaign is focused on rebuilding trust with Canadians and reshaping the Liberal Party’s future.
How to Support Karina Gould’s Campaign
Gould encouraged Liberal Party members to vote by March 9th and support her campaign through donations and volunteer efforts. “My campaign is powered by people,” she emphasized, underlining her grassroots approach.