You don't need to replace the US, you need to have a large enough generation to absorb trade imports and finance debt. Whatever Canada does, don't do what the Europeans are considering and having a free trade agreement with China. That is them signing their own death certificate.
Does it work like other parliamentary systems where you pick the party and then a coalition forms and then a leader is selected?
Coalitions really only come into play in a minority gov't situation. If a party manages to get a majority of seats that party gets to form the government and the leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister. In minority government situations there can be coalitions or other deals made between two or more parties to ensure that they have enough votes to survive any confidence motions. The party with more seats in a minority govt will have their leader as the PM and make arrangements with others to pass confidence votes If a government fails to pass a confidence vote the party leader will either resign or request the governor general to dissolve parliament and call an election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_of_no_confidence#Canada
I really wish you Canadians all the best. Yet, this is a familiar looking confidence in your fellow voters, and optimism in general. We saw a lot of it in September and November of last year concerning our election. I'm with Crown, don't trust the polls.
“elbows up” is strong up here, and the Liberals have embraced it from the start. They seem to be resonating as the “fuck trump” party.