If, as is now widely expected, Mr. Trudeau’s resignation is imminent, the only way forward is a real leadership race. I respect and admire my friend Eddie Goldenberg, but I couldn’t disagree more with his argument that Liberals should capitalize on the sensation generated by Ms. Freeland’s resignation to anoint her—or anyone else—leader. It will confirm Canadians’ worst instincts about the party. “There’s no time for democracy” is a tell of an argument.

It’s also bad strategy. If you want to know who can play hockey, put on a hockey game. It doesn’t matter who you think you support at this moment, we’ll all have a more seasoned view if we see these people in live action. Competitions create better competitors. In politics, leadership campaigns make for better general election campaign teams. They train people, test ideas, build resilience.

Liberals are going to need all of this and then some in 2025. Ten years after Mr. Trudeau’s victory in 2015, the party is back to square one: tied for 2nd/3rd in the polls with NDP, far behind the Conservatives. And when the next leader looks over at the other bench, she or he will see an opponent who has put in his reps. Say what you want about Pierre Poilievre, the man has never skipped leg day. He is going to be a tough assignment. Liberals owe it to Canadians to give him a more difficult contest than the open-ice skate he’s currently enjoying.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Butts:

Gerald Butts is a Canadian political consultant and former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He was also the president and CEO of the World Wildlife Fund Canada and a policy adviser to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.