Justin Trudeau's 9 year tenure as Canada's PM has ended, leaving the Liberal Party in search of a new leader to steer them to the next general election.
Here are 7 potential candidates in the Liberal leadership race:
As minister of public services, Anita Anand led Canada's efforts to secure vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. She later served as minister of defence.
Recent cabinet reshuffles were viewed as a setback to her leadership ambitions. Currently transport minister, she remains a strong figure in the Liberal caucus.
As foreign minister, Melanie Joly has tackled significant challenges, including Canada's diplomatic fallout with India.
Her ability to navigate high pressure situations have made her a respected figure within the party. She has long been encouraged to pursue leadership, with Trudeau urging her to run for federal office.
One of Trudeau's closest allies, Dominic LeBlanc stepped into the finance minister role following Chrystia Freeland's resignation.
LeBlanc's political pedigree runs deep -- his father served as governor general. Despite his bout with cancer, LeBlanc remains an affable and effective communicator, making him a potential candidate for leadership.
Chrystia Freeland was a trusted member of Trudeau's inner circle until her resignation in December.
Freeland had a successful career as a journalist before entering politics in 2013. In 2015, she joined Trudeau's cabinet as foreign minister. She later became the first woman to serve as deputy prime minister and finance minister.
Her resignation letter blasted Trudeau's handling of Donald Trump's tariff threats; Trump has branded her 'toxic'.
Although he has never held elected office, Mark Carney -- former head of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England -- is another top contender having recently served as special adviser to Trudeau.
Carney has openly questioned Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's vision, calling it 'just slogans'.
Since entering politics in 2015, Francois-Philippe Champagne has held key portfolios, including international trade and foreign affairs.
His roots in Quebec, a crucial province in federal elections, and his ability to connect with centrist Liberals could make him a unifying figure for the party.
Christy Clark, who served as premier of British Columbia from 2011 to 2017, has expressed interest in the Liberal leadership race. Known for balancing environmental priorities with economic growth, her leadership record may appeal to centrist voters.
Clark has been improving her French skills, a key asset for any federal politician in Canada.