The federal Liberal caucus gathered on Parliament Hill on Wednesday with speculation swirling about which of its members will put their names forward to lead the party into the next election — and with one potential contender bowing out.

Kody Blois, chair of the Atlantic Liberal caucus, said that his colleagues instructed him to write to the Prime Minister when they met before Christmas. He told Mr. Trudeau the meeting had focused “on the need for you to resign as the Leader of the Liberal Party” to allow a process to begin to replace him.