Burlington MP Karina Gould gets boost from local young people after entering Liberal leadership race

A day after entering the Liberal leadership race, Burlington, Ont., MP and government House leader Karina Gould was cheered at a campaign launch party by local residents — including young people expressing hope the 37-year-old politician will represent their voices.

Gould confirmed Saturday afternoon, in a video posted to her social media, that she's running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March. Gould, who is the youngest candidate so far, joins contenders including former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, Ottawa MP Chandra Arya, former Montreal MP and businessman Frank Baylis, and Cape Breton, N.S., MP Jaime Battiste.

On Sunday, Gould was cheered at the event at District Kitchen + Bar on Plains Road in Burlington, where she grew up and has been MP since 2015.

"Hi Burlington. My name is Karina Gould and I'm running to be the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada," she said after walking out to Demi Lovato's Confident.

About 100 people were in attendance, including Gould supporter Patrick Sauriol, 25.

"She's personable, she is an incredible speaker, you can come talk to her and you can tell that she is listening, and I think that's something that's really important in a leader is someone who actually listens," Sauriol told CBC News.

Sauriol, who said he cast a ballot for Gould the first time he could vote, who previously volunteered on a campaign by Gould.

Sauriol said young voters are looking for someone like Gould who'll take what they have to say seriously.

"A lot of young people feel that politicians don't listen," he said.

Shelle Papin, a Hamilton resident also at Sunday's event, said she's been backing Gould since she was elected in 2015.

"I think she's done very well. She's very knowledgeable ... she has really taken on a variety of roles, especially dealing with the United States ... I just think she would make an excellent candidate."

Papin, who grew up in Burlington, said Canada and the Liberal Party should continue electing young leaders, like they did when Trudeau became Liberal head in his early 40s before being voted in as prime minister.

"We need young," she said.

Former Burlington member of provincial parliament (MPP) Eleanor McMahon and Hamilton Mountain MPP Lisa Hepfner were also at Sunday's event.