Chrystia Freeland, whose abrupt resignation as finance minister last month forced Justin Trudeau's exit as prime minister, said she is running to be the next leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister of Canada.

Former Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland intends to run to lead the country's Liberal Party. In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday, Freeland said she would hold a formal campaign launch in the coming days, but expressed her intention to run.

Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MP Ken McDonald said he personally credits Freeland for reversing the decision to impose the carbon tax on home heating fuel, which mostly affected Atlantic Canadians and was widely seen as a blow to the carbon tax policy.

The former finance minister is seeking to distance herself from unpopular measures introduced while in Trudeau’s cabinet

Less than five weeks after she resigned her cabinet seat over a dispute with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland has launched her campaign to replace him as the leader of the Liberal party.

Dan Vandal is the latest Manitoba Liberal MP to throw their support behind Chrystia Freeland to lead the party. The former finance minister and deputy prime minister announced on social media early Friday morning she was “running to fight for Canada.” Vandal released a statement in the afternoon endorsing her candidacy.

Following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, top contenders for the Liberal leadership include Melanie Joly, François-Philippe Champagne, and Anita Anand.

Justin Trudeau has announced he will step down after nine years as Canadian prime minister in the face of a mounting set of crises, but stay in office until a replacement party leader is chosen.

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, whose abrupt resignation as finance minister last month forced Justin Trudeau's exit as prime minister, said she is running to be the next leader of the Liberal Party and prime minister of Canada.