Former Canadian finance minister Chrystia Freeland on Friday announced that she would take part in the contest to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.

Chrystia Freeland, the former Canadian finance minister who helped bring Justin Trudeau’s political career to an end when she resigned in December, has joined the race to replace him as prime minister.

After nearly a decade in power, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally bowed to a chorus of criticism that had become too loud to ignore, announcing his resignation on Monday. Among the loudest critics was one of his most loyal and longest-serving deputies.

The ball is in Chrystia Freeland's court, now that Mark Carney has officially launched his campaign to become the next Liberal leader.

The race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister is increasingly looking like a two-way battle between former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and ex-central banker Mark Carney.