The former finance minister's official campaign launch is set for Sunday in Toronto but Chrystia Freeland used social media Friday to make clear her intention to join the race.

In a sparsely worded post on the social media platform X, the former finance minister and deputy prime minister said simply that she's "running to fight for Canada."

While Liberal supporters hope a new leader will give the party a better chance at holding onto power, some residents in urban Toronto — where the Liberals swept all 25 ridings in the 2021 election — are unsure if Justin Trudeau's resignation will be enough to change public opinion.

Cabinet ministers, a former central banker and a one-time provincial premier are all reportedly eyeing the top job.

Trudeau said on Monday he would stay on both as prime minister and Liberal head until the party chooses a new leader to take it ... Freeland, a member of parliament for Toronto, is considered to be the early frontrunner for Trudeau’s replacement.

Freeland becomes one of the highest-profile candidates in the leadership contest, joining contenders including former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.

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

Former Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is running to be the next leader of the Liberal Party and prime minister of Canada

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

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.

Chrystia Freeland has called for economic retaliation if President-elect Trump follows through with his threat to impose tariffs.