Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister, sought to distance herself from Mr. Trudeau in a public letter criticizing him for “costly political gimmicks.”

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.

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.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing criticism from multiple fronts, has announced that he will not run in the next general election and may even retire from politics. This marks an unexpected conclusion to the career of a leader who was once hailed as a dynamic,