Federal Liberal Party will choose new leader in two months

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks to a meeting room after speaking to reporters at the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C., on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By Renee Bernard

Posted January 9, 2025 7:59 pm.

Last Updated January 9, 2025 8:30 pm.

The Liberal Party of Canada will choose its next leader — who will also take over as prime minister — in two months, the party announced Thursday.

The leadership vote to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be held March 9, with the leader announced that same day, the National Board of Directors says.

The board says candidates have until Jan. 23 to join the race, and it will cost $350,000 to run.

People whose names might be on the ballot are former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, former B.C. premier Christy Clark, and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.

Trudeau announced on Monday that he would step down as Prime Minister and as the leader of the Liberal Party following a “robust” leadership contest. He also prorogued Parliament until March 24.

The cut-off date to join the Liberal Party of Canada in time to vote in the leadership race is Jan. 27. Members must be Canadian citizens or have Permanent Resident status and be 14 years of age or older. They also must not belong to any other federal political party.

With files from Michael Talbot.

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