The race to replace Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party – and as the country’s prime minister – is well under way, with seven candidates throwing their names into contention. The leadership hopefuls had until Thursday evening to meet a deadline to formally submit their candidacies before the party picks its new chief on March 9.

Liberal leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland says her top rival Mark Carney appears to be “the choice of the Liberal establishment” as more federal cabinet ministers rally around the former Bank of Canada governor.

The federal Liberals are running their first leadership race in more than a decade to replace the departing Justin Trudeau. Candidates had to declare by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23 with a $50,000 deposit towards a $350,