Sault MP Terry Sheehan says he hasn't decided to support a specific candidate in the upcoming Liberal Party of Canada leadership race.
Interviewed at an event on Monday, Sheehan said he has not chosen between the three candidates who have so far thrown their hats in the ring: Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould and Mark Carney.
"I have not made a decision. I'm not backing anyone. People are reaching out to me and I'm talking to them. I'm going to be thinking in the context of what is best for Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District," Sheehan said.
Freeland, who was deputy prime minister at the time, was last in the Sault in November for the grand opening of the new Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 building. Gould was here in 2022 when she served as minister for Families, Children and Social Development.
Sheehan noted he has sat on the government's International Trade Committee since 2017, where he worked alongside Freeland.
"I've sat in on her meetings with the American ambassador, with American Business people and American politicians," he said.
Carney served as governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013 and held the same position with the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.
"He was born in the Northwest Territories and grew up in Edmonton and Edmonton reminds me a lot of the Sault — not just the hockey connections, but really hardworking people that produce really important work," said Sheehan of Carney.
A Liberal caucus meeting is scheduled for later this week, during which Sheehan expects to hear from all three Liberal leader hopefuls. In the meantime, Sheehan is listening to constituents about who should lead the party, as well as colleagues from all political affiliations.
"It's going to be about who I feel is best to deal with the American-Canadian relationship. I think that's really important," Sheehan said.