Who might replace Trudeau as Liberal Party leader?

Trudeau will step down from the role after nine years as PM once his governing Liberals find a new leader. They will vote on 9 March.

The winner is expected to be thrust into a general election, which polls currently suggest they will lose to the opposition Conservatives.

They will also have to take on the threats of 25% tariffs proposed by US President Donald Trump.

Many prominent cabinet ministers chose not to run, including Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who all said they need to focus on their current duties.

The party will approve the potential contestants that filed their paperwork in the coming days.

Here are the names that have entered the leadership race.

Former central banker Mark Carney

In his campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney pitched himself as a strong fiscal manager who can help countries navigate challenging times.

"I've helped manage multiple crises, and I've helped save two economies," he said in his speech.

"I know how business works, and I know how to make it work for you."

He also noted the tariff threat from Trump, saying that Canada is facing extraordinary times.

Carney, 59, was born in Canada's Northwest Territories and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta.

In his announcement, he sought to highlight his Canadian roots and paint himself as a political outsider.

He has been serving in recent months as a special economics adviser to Trudeau, has long been considered a contender for the top job, though the Harvard graduate has never held public office.

Trudeau himself admitted that he had long been trying to recruit Carney to his team.

Carney tried to distance himself from the unpopular PM, saying he is "not the only Liberal in Canada who believes that the prime minister and his team let their attention wander from the economy too often".

Carney brings with him expertise on environmental matters through his role as the United Nations special envoy on climate action, recently calling the goal of net zero "the greatest commercial opportunity of our time".

He is a champion of some Liberal policies that have been unpopular, like the federal carbon tax, the party's signature climate policy that critics argue is a financial burden for Canadians.

He has recently back away from the policy, saying in May that it had "served a purpose up until now".

He has received a number of cabinet endorsements, including Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly.

Former Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland

The Toronto member of parliament became one of the most well-known members of Trudeau's team.

While she had long been seen as a trusted senior official in his inner circle, a rift with the prime minister's office led to her recent abrupt resignation in December.

That was a blow to Trudeau's already-shaky hold on power, helping to usher in his own resignation.

The two disagreed on how to address President Trump's threat of tariffs, among other financial policies as Canada faced a C$60bn deficit ($42bn; £33bn).

Born to a Ukrainian mother in the western province of Alberta, the 56-year-old was a journalist before entering politics.

She entered the House of Commons in 2013 and two years later joined Trudeau's cabinet with a trade brief after he swept the party to power.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs she helped Canada renegotiate a free trade deal with the US and Mexico.

She was later named deputy prime minister and minister of finance and oversaw Canada's financial response to the Covid pandemic.

A 2019 Globe and Mail profile said depending who you asked, Freeland is either a last, best hope for the liberal world order or an out-of-touch idealist.

Her steadfast support of Ukraine earned praise in some quarters but the Harvard-educated MP has had her share of critics, including Trump who recently called her "toxic".

In her launch - walking onto the stage to the 1982 song "Maneater" - she leaned into her time renegotiating a trade deal under the first Trump administration, and said she would take on the president again.

"I will lead a true Canadian response to the threat we now face. We will be united, we will be strong, we will be smart and that's why we will win," she told the crowd of supporters.

She has received the backing of Health Minister Mark Holland and Justice Minister Arif Virani, among other MPs.

Liberal House leader Karina Gould

Karina Gould, a former trade and investment specialist, has thrown her hat in the ring, declaring she would represent a "new generation" if elected.

She was first elected in 2015 and has served a number of roles in Trudeau's cabinet - the youngest woman to serve as a minister in Canada.

The 37-year-old was families minister, international development minister and later Minister of Democratic Institutions, before taking on her current role as House Leader, where she oversees the government's legislative agenda.

Gould said "Canadians have lost trust in our party", as she launched her bid.

MP Jaime Battiste

Jaime Battiste, a Mi'kmaw member of parliament from the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia, was first elected in 2019.

The indigenous politician said in a social media post he began contemplating a run after receiving an "outpouring of support" from indigenous leaders and others.

His vision for the country is one that "prioritises protecting human rights, reconciliation and environmental sustainability", he said.

"Before there was a Premier Wab Kinew, there had to be an Elijah Harper," he said, referencing respectively the indigenous leader and the indigenous former politician in the province of Manitoba.

"Before there was a Barack Obama, there had to be a Jesse Jackson," he added.

MP Chandra Arya

The backbench member of parliament was one of the first to formally toss his hat into the race.

In a statement, Arya said he is running to "lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations".

Arya, an engineer and former entrepreneur, was first elected MP in 2015.

An immigrant who came to Canada from India 20 years ago, he called himself the embodiment of "what Canada is all about".

Arya has said he supports Canada breaking ties with the monarchy.

In Canada, the monarch - King Charles - is the head of state, though the role is mainly symbolic.

He faces the challenge of not speaking French, usually a requirement for politicians seeking high-level positions in the officially bilingual country.

Businessman Frank Baylis

Frank Baylis, a former Liberal member of parliament, was the first out of the gate to announce he is seeking the leadership of the party.

He has said he will bring his experience from the world of business to address the affordability and cost-of-living challenges facing Canadians.

Baylis served in parliament from 2015-2019.

Former MP Ruby Dhalla

The former Liberal member of parliament from the Toronto region is a late addition to the race.

Ruby Dhalla, a chiropractor, held a seat from 2004 to 2011, and was one of the first Canadian woman of Indian origin elected to the House of Commons.

Dhalla told news outlet CP24 that she thought it was important to have someone in the race with entrepreneurial experience.

She also said she brought a voice of diversity to the race.

In 2009, she stepped down from her role as multiculturalism critic over allegations of mistreatment of two caregivers her family employed. Dhalla repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

-BBC