OTTAWA - One of the seven Liberal leadership hopefuls says the party is not allowing him to run, as another high-profile cabinet minister endorsed Mark Carney on Sunday.

Transport Minister Anita Anand, Defence Minister Bill Blair and Housing Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith all announced Saturday they’re endorsing Mark Carney for federal Liberal leader as more of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet coalesces around the former Bank of Canada governor.

The former governor of the Canadian and British central banks announced he was running to become head of the Liberal Party and prime minister.

MP for Kingston and The Islands Mark Gerretsen is endorsing Mark Carney for the next Liberal leader. On March 9, 2025, the Liberal Party of Canada will announce the next leader of their party. Currently there are five candidates vying for the role. Chandra Arya, Jaime Battiste, Frank Baylis, Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland.

The three cabinet ministers are the latest to turn away from contender Chrystia Freeland, who is the former finance minister

Carney disclosed his intentions to a crowd in Edmonton, Alberta, the western Canadian city where he spent the bulk of his youth, promising an economic agenda focused on lifting the country from a period of stagnant growth.

Former central banker Mark Carney picked up a handful of endorsements on Tuesday, including from the government's most vocal climate champion, as the Liberal leadership race whizzes ahead on a tight timeline.

The former central banker for the UK and Canada pitched himself as a someone who can help a country navigate economic challenges.

The senior ranks of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet have made their choice on who they believe should replace him as Canada’s prime minister — and they’re throwing their weight behind Mark Carney.