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

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.

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.