How will replacing Trudeau work? Breaking down a Liberal leadership contest [Video]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday morning that he plans to step down once his party picks a successor.

Now, the Liberal leadership race is on as opposition parties vow to take down the government through a non-confidence vote at the earliest opportunity.

Trudeau told reporters outside his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa on Monday that he’ll remain Liberal leader and prime minister until his replacement is chosen by a “competitive” national leadership contest.

He also said Parliament has been prorogued until March 24, meaning MPs won’t meet again in the House of Commons for more than two months.

So how do Liberal leadership contests work, and is there a way to expedite electing a new party leader? Let’s break down the process to replace Trudeau.

The first steps

According to the Liberal Party’s constitution, the party’s president — currently Sachit Mehra — must call a meeting of the national board of directors to be held within 27 …