Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney and former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland are considered frontrunners in the race.

Front-runner Mark Carney and underdog Chrystia Freeland, both established, centrist policymakers, are vying to succeed Justin Trudeau amid grave threats to Canada from the United States.

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.

Ms. Freeland is vying to become Canada’s next Liberal Party leader and prime minister on Sunday. Her chances could hinge on whether voters consider President Trump’s dislike of her an asset.

Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland, second right, speaks as Karina Gould, lfrom eft, Frank Baylis, and Mark Carney look on during the English-language

The stage was shared by four hopefuls: former governor of the banks of Canada and England Mark Carney, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Liberal government House leader Karina Gould, and businessman and former MP Frank Baylis.

Canada's Liberal Party leadership candidates, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, former House leader Karina Gould and former Liberal MP Frank Baylis stand next to each other before participating in a French language debate ahead of the March 9 vote to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,

Canada's Liberal Party leadership candidates, former House leader Karina Gould shakes hands with former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, near former Liberal MP Frank Baylis, and former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland,

Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland speaks during the English-language Liberal Leadership debate in Montreal on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press

Former central banker Mark Carney favoured over Chrystia Freeland to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal party head

Front-runner Mark Carney and underdog Chrystia Freeland, both established, centrist policymakers, are vying to succeed Justin Trudeau amid grave threats to Canada from the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and threatened to make Canada the 51st state, has loomed large over the contest.