The race for a new liberal Leader Now has a timeline, after Trudeau announced his departure from the role of Prime Minister.
In a press release, the party says a new leader will be picked on March 9. Leadership contestants must also declare by Jan. 23 and will be required to pay an entrance fee of $350,000, giving potential candidates limited time to fundraise.
current candidates include former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, and former B.C. premier Christy Clark.
other possible choices include cabinet ministers Melanie Joly, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Jonathan Wilkinson and Steven MacKinnon
Whoever wins the leadership will have just two weeks in their new job before the House of Commons is set to return on March 24.
The new leader could also quickly face a general election, as opposition parties have signaled they will move to bring down the Liberal government at the first opportunity.
