By David Ljunggren (Reuters) - Canada's ruling Liberal Party is looking for a new leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced on Jan. 6 he intended to step down. The Liberal Party will pick a new chief on March 9.

Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister, sought to distance herself from Mr. Trudeau in a public letter criticizing him for “costly political gimmicks.”

Justin Trudeau's leadership has faced significant challenges in the wake of the COVID crisis, leading to a loss of confidence among Canadians from various backgrounds.

Canadian cabinet minister Karina Gould on Saturday said she would take part in the contest to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was elected in 2015, he promised sunny ways and "a real change." Over the last nine years, there's no doubt his government has focused on fighting climate change, advancing Indigenous reconciliation and lifting some Canadians out of poverty.

Announcing his resignation on Monday, Trudeau said he planned to stay on as prime minister until a new party leader is selected. Who will succeed him — and can they survive a looming no-confidence vote?

The race to replace Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is dominated by one name: Donald Trump. How to wrestle with the incoming president and his tariff threats has emerged as the defining question in the Liberal Party leadership contest.