Frontrunners include Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney, who are making the case they can guide Canada through domestic and international issues. At the top of the list: mounting trade tensions with the United States.

Liberal party members will select a successor to Trudeau, who earlier this year announced his resignation facing deep unpopularity, on March 9.

Justin Trudeau's party was headed for near-certain defeat. That is until Trump's tariffs came, upending the face of Canadian politics.