Freeland pitches herself as tested Trump negotiator, as protesters disrupt Liberal leadership launch

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland laid out her case Sunday to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and take on U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, positioning herself as "a battle-tested leader with the scars to prove it."

But her message was repeatedly drowned out by pro-Palestinian protesters in the crowd who shouted down Freeland with calls of "genocide supporter" and loud banging.

At least a dozen hecklers were escorted out, according to reporters in the room, delaying her speech.

Once she got back on track, Freeland pitched herself as a veteran negotiator and leader with eyes on the Canadian economy.

Freeland's official campaign launch comes nearly a month after she resigned from Trudeau's cabinet and one day before Trump takes office, two factors she leaned on in her campaign launch speech.