Liberal Party members look set to pick former central bank governor Mark Carney as the new party leader and Canada's next prime minister in a vote to be announced on Sunday evening.
Carney, 59, navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada and when in 2013 he became the first non-citizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694.
His appointment won bipartisan praise in the UK after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.
The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged.
Trudeau announced his resignation in January, but remains prime minister until a successor is chosen and sworn in.
Election laws mandate a general election before the northern autumn, but one is expected this spring.
Trump's trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st US state have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at hockey and basketball games.
Some are cancelling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods.
The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party's chances in a parliamentary election expected within days or weeks, and Liberal showings have been improving steadily in opinion polls.
After decades of bilateral stability, the vote on Canada's next leader now is expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with the United States.
Carney has picked up one endorsement after another from Cabinet ministers and members of Parliament since declaring his candidacy in January.
He is a highly educated economist with Wall Street experience who has long been interested in entering politics and becoming prime minister, but he lacks political experience.
The new leader is expected to trigger an election shortly afterward.
Either the new Liberal party leader will call one, or the opposition parties in Parliament could force one with a no-confidence vote later this month.
