- Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2003
Canadian politics/leadership race
party = Liberal
year = 2003
date =November 14 ,2003
location =Toronto ,Ontario
winner =Paul Martin
replaces =Jean Chrétien
numcands = 2
entryfee = $75,000
spendcThe 2003
Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention ended onNovember 14 ,2003 , electingPaul Martin as the party's new leader, replacing outgoing Prime MinisterJean Chrétien . The official campaign had lasted several months, although the candidates had been trying to get the position for years. Indeed, Martin's supporters had been pushing for leadership contests as early as 1997 and again in 2000.Stakes for the race were very high as the winner would become Prime Minister, and would take over party that was high in the polls and likely to be re-elected with an even larger majority.
Paul Martin spent the entire race as the unquestionable front runner, as his supporters had secured a lock on the party executives of the federal and most provincial sections of the party. They had made rules such as those regarding the sale of party memberships so onerous as to give Martin an unsurmountable advantage. Because of this, many potential candidates did not enter the race or dropped out, including
John Manley ,Allan Rock , andBrian Tobin . As Martin held a large lead throughout the campaign, despite refusing demands from Manley to reveal his donors, even most Chrétien supporters grudgingly voted for Martin rather than rally around any of the other candidates.Martin easily captured the leadership with 93.8% of the delegates, however the party would be plagued by significant infighting afterwards, as he and his supporters moved to remove Chrétien supporters from cabinet and even from Parliament.
"See also:
Liberal leadership conventions "Candidates
*
Paul Martin - former Minister of Finance
*Sheila Copps -Minister of Canadian Heritage Withdrew
*John Manley -
Deputy Prime Minister , Finance MinisterAnnounced they would not run
*
Allan Rock - Industry Minister
*Frank McKenna - FormerNew Brunswick Premier
*Brian Tobin - FormerNewfoundland and Labrador Premier
*Don Boudria - Government House LeaderResults
First ballot
Timeline
2002
*
June 2 - Paul Martin resigns asFinance Minister of Canada . John Manley is named to replace him.
*August 21 - Prime Minister Jean Chrétien tells Canadians he will step down in February2004 .2003
*
February 13 - Sheila Copps announces she is going to run for leadership.
*March 7 - Martin announces he is going to run for leadership.
*March 17 - Manley announces he is going to run for leadership.
*July 22 - Manley drops out of the race.
*September 21 - Paul Martin's victory becomes a certainty when he secures 92% of the party delegates from across the country.
*November 14 - Martin officially becomes leader of the Liberal Party of Canada winning 3242 of 3455 votes against Copps.
*November 28 - Manley announces his retirement from politics.
*December 12 - Martin is sworn in asCanada 's 21st Prime Minister, along with his cabinet.External links
* [http://ms.radio-canada.ca/archives/2006/en/wmv/paulmartin20031114et1.wmv CBC report from the Convention, Video]
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