Canada's Liberal Leadership Race Heats Up

The Liberal Party of Canada seeks a new leader after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down. Top contenders include Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney, Jonathan Wilkinson, and Karina Gould. Each brings distinctive backgrounds and challenges as they aim to shape the country's future direction.

The Canadian Liberal Party is in search of a new leader following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of his plan to step down. The leadership race will culminate on March 9 when a new chief is selected. Federal Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne has already declared he will not be vying for the position.

Among the top potential contenders is Chrystia Freeland, who was an integral part of Trudeau's cabinet and previously served as finance minister. Freeland's resignation in December stemmed from a disagreement over fiscal priorities. Another prominent candidate is former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, known for his financial expertise and previous roles in major central banks.

Other notable figures in the race include Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and House Leader Karina Gould. Wilkinson has a background in green technology but faces the challenge of balancing environmental goals with economic realities. Gould seeks to become the first female leader of the Liberal Party and has a track record of pioneering reforms in Canada's democratic institutions.

(With inputs from agencies.)