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2006 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election

The 2006 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election was prompted by outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin's announcement that he would not lead the Liberal Party of Canada into another election, following his party's defeat in the 2006 federal election in Canada. The party's biennial convention, already scheduled to occur from November 29 to December 1, 2006, in Montreal's Palais des congrès, was followed by the party's leadership convention at the same venue occurring December 2 to December 3, 2006. As the winner, Stéphane Dion led the Liberal Party into the 2008 federal election.

The party constitution set out a process by which the party leader would be chosen by several thousand delegates, who were elected by riding associations, women's associations, and Young Liberal clubs in proportion to the number of votes they received at a delegate selection meeting of the general membership of that association. Hundreds of other ex officio delegates were automatically awarded delegate spots at the convention, including Liberal Members of Parliament, Senators, riding association presidents, past candidates and members of provincial or territorial association executive boards.


As stipulated by the party constitution, the selection of delegates for the convention had to occur 35 to 59 days prior to the convention, and only Liberals who had joined the party at least 90 days before the delegate-selection meetings could vote for delegates, although there was no deadline for becoming delegates themselves. As a result, the early months of the leadership race were dominated by competing drives to sign up members who were likely to back the various candidacies.


The convention date was approximately three years after the 2003 convention, in which Paul Martin was selected after years of conflict between his faction of the party and that of outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.


After four ballots, former cabinet minister and dark horse candidate Stéphane Dion won the leadership on December 2, 2006.


As of 2022, this remains the only Liberal Party leadership convention since 1958 in which none of the contenders had previously run for the party's leadership. Michael Ignatieff, who finished as runner-up, would later run again for the party's leadership in 2009 and was elected unopposed, while Martha Hall Findlay, who was eliminated in the first round of this election, ran again in 2013, finishing third.

Parliamentary leadership until the convention[edit]

On February 1, 2006, outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin announced that he would like to continue as leader of the Liberal Party until his successor was chosen but that he would not serve as Leader of the Opposition. [7] Later that day, the 103-member Liberal caucus selected Bill Graham, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and the outgoing Minister of National Defence, as Leader of the Opposition and interim parliamentary leader in the House of Commons. (The caucus was soon reduced to 102 members when David Emerson crossed the floor to join the Conservatives.) Graham named Lucienne Robillard, member for Westmount—Ville-Marie and the outgoing Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, as his deputy leader.[8] Alberta Senator Dan Hays, outgoing speaker of the Senate of Canada, was chosen as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.


Though Martin initially intended to remain the official leader until the party chose his permanent replacement, the former Prime Minister announced on March 16, 2006, that his resignation would take effect the following weekend, once the Liberal Party executive set the date of the convention. According to media reports, Martin made his decision to end speculation that he may lead the Liberals into the next election, should the Harper government fall in the following few months.[2]


Bill Graham was given the full-fledged role of interim leader (rather than just interim parliamentary leader) by the National Executive on March 18, 2006. Interim leaders are traditionally expected to be neutral in leadership races and are typically individuals who are not expected to be candidates themselves.

Party biennial[edit]

The first three days of the Convention, November 29 to December 1, constituted the biennial convention of the Liberal Party of Canada. As such, delegates cast their ballot for party executive positions as well as the new leader. They also engaged in plenary workshops and other meetings associated with biennial conventions.


The keynote speech at the opening was delivered by Howard Dean, chairman of the U.S. Democratic National Committee, on the topic of party renewal.[70]


A number of new party executives were elected at the convention. Notably, Senator Marie Poulin was elected president defeating Bobbi Ethier and former MP Tony Ianno. Executive members elected at the Convention serve until the next biennial convention.[71]

Joe Volpe went over to Rae on the evening of December 1 prior to the announcement of the first ballot's results and will not be on the second ballot regardless of the outcome of the first.

Martha Hall Findlay is eliminated as she has the lowest vote total of any candidate. Martha Hall Findlay had moved her personal support to Stéphane Dion, but she has otherwise released all of her delegates.

Scott Brison withdrew to support Rae.

January 23, 2006 - As returns indicate that the Liberals had lost the to Stephen Harper's Conservatives, Prime Minister Paul Martin concedes the election and announces his intention to resign as Liberal party leader. In his concession speech, held in the early hours of the morning (EST), he states: "I will continue to represent with pride the people of LaSalle—Émard, but I will not take our party into another election as leader".

2006 federal election

John Manley

January 30, 2006 - Surprising many pundits, announces he will not run for the leadership. Prior to this, McKenna had been tipped and widely reported as the race's frontrunner.[73] While recognizing the significance of the leadership McKenna acknowledged: "You've got pretty good odds of being the prime minister if you're leader of the Liberal party."[74] However, he put an end to his association with the 2006 Liberal Party leadership race, explaining that he did not want "his life to become consumed by politics."[8] as he had allowed it to become when he was premier of New Brunswick. He also said his decision was in part because: "I reminded myself of my vow upon leaving office that, having escaped the trap, I wouldn't go back for the cheese."[74]

Frank McKenna

January 31, 2006 - announces he will not seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.[75] Mr. Tobin rationalized his stepping out of the running as an opportunity for the Liberal Party to heal, revitalize and rejuvenate itself. In his words: "... I think it's time for new blood and I think it's time for new players and I think this is an opportunity for the Liberal party to renew itself and, in the process, to heal itself a little bit as well." and that: "I think that I've had my opportunity and I made my contribution. I enjoyed it enormously."[76]

Brian Tobin

February 1, 2006 - Prime Minister Martin announces that he will remain leader of the Liberal Party until his successor is chosen but will not take on the position of leader of the opposition, allowing caucus to choose a parliamentary leader. Later that day the Liberal caucus chooses Bill Graham for that position, and Lucienne Robillard is named as his deputy.[77] Martin subsequently moved up the date his resignation became effective to March 18, 2006.

^

February 3, 2006 - Both and Allan Rock announce they will not run for the leadership of the Liberal party.[78]

Lloyd Axworthy

February 6, 2006 - Martin resigns as Prime Minister, succeeded by Conservative Leader .

Stephen Harper

February 8, 2006 - Martha Hall Findlay becomes first to declare candidacy for the leadership.[79]

^

March 1, 2006 - The reports that Gerard Kennedy is seriously considering a leadership bid and that he is backed by Senator Terry Mercer, former national director of the Liberal Party of Canada.[80]

Toronto Star

March 9, 2006 - is revealed to have sent an email to an investment banker in November 2005 prior to the Martin government's change of policy on income trusts. It is also revealed that the RCMP had interviewed Brison as part of its investigation on an alleged leak of information on the policy shift and related claims of "insider trading". Though Brison insists he was only passing on public information, his judgement in the matter has raised questions about his suitability as a candidate for the party's leadership.[81]

Scott Brison

March 13, 2006 - gives a speech to the Canadian Club in Winnipeg outlining his views of the problems facing the country. He says he'll make up his mind on whether he'll run for the Liberal leadership in the next few days.[82]

Bob Rae

March 14, 2006 - , Martin's chief organizer in British Columbia, reportedly commits to manage the Dion leadership campaign. This likely confirms Marissen's wife Christy Clark is not considering a run at the leadership herself.[83]

Mark Marissen

[84]

March 20, 2006 - Musician declares himself a candidate for the leadership; his announcement is widely characterized in the media as a publicity stunt to promote his new album. However, MacIsaac never formally files his registration as a candidate, and announces in June that he is abandoning his campaign, officially citing his lack of ability to speak French.

Ashley MacIsaac

March 23, 2006 - At the in Toronto, Paul Zed and Dennis Mills host a cocktail reception honouring Sheila Copps for thirty years in public life. The event is attended by virtually every declared or rumoured leadership hopeful, and is viewed by most as the public launch of the leadership race.

King Edward Hotel

March 29, 2006 - MP Maurizio Bevliacqua confirms in a television interview that he will likely be a candidate.

Vaughan

Gerard Kennedy

April 6, 2006 - announced she wouldn't join the race citing the way the contest is structured. Sources close to Stronach also cite her lack of French as a factor.[88]

Belinda Stronach

[89]

April 8, 2006 - The holds its annual convention in Edmonton. A "leadership panel" is organized which is billed as the first opportunity for declared and prospective candidates to appear and "debate" each other. Declared candidates Clifford Blais, Stéphane Dion, John Godfrey, Martha Hall Findlay, Michael Ignatieff, and Gerard Kennedy, participate along with undeclared candidates Maurizio Bevilacqua, Carolyn Bennett, Scott Brison, Ruby Dhalla, Joe Fontana, Hedy Fry, John McCallum, Bob Rae, Joe Volpe, and Paul Zed.[92] Denis Coderre was absent due to a prior commitment.[13] Ken Dryden could not attend due to a family wedding.[93]

Alberta wing of the Liberal Party

April 12, 2006 - John Godfrey withdraws from the race, citing concerns about his health.

April 19, 2006 - Greater Toronto Area MP officially enters the race.[94]

Maurizio Bevilacqua

April 21, 2006 - Toronto MP enters race.[95]

Joe Volpe

April 23, 2006 - Nova Scotia MP enters the race.[27]

Scott Brison

April 24, 2006 - Former Ontario Premier and Toronto MP Carolyn Bennett formally declare their candidacies.[96]

Bob Rae

April 27, 2006 - Toronto MPP enters the race.

Gerard Kennedy

April 28, 2006 - Toronto MP launches his campaign.

Ken Dryden

May 4, 2006 - announces her leadership bid.

Hedy Fry

June 1, 2006 - Following demands for an investigation and accusations that he had violated the Elections Act, gives back $27,000 in donations given by the children of Apotex corporate executives who had exceeded the legal limit for their own individual donations.[97]

Joe Volpe

June 10, 2006 - The first formal leadership debate of the campaign occurred in .[98]

Winnipeg

June 17, 2006 - hosted the campaign's second formal debate.[98]

Moncton

July 4, 2006 - Deadline for anyone wishing to vote in the leadership election to take out party membership if they are not a member already or if they are a former member whose membership has lapsed. Those who were formerly "Life members" (a defunct category in Newfoundland and New Brunswick) have until the end of September to renew.

July 13, 2006 - The reports that Gerard Kennedy appears to have signed up more new members than any other candidate. The article says that it had been "conventional wisdom" that Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae were the leaders in the race but "(t)hese numbers would indicate a change in the dynamic of the race".[99]

Toronto Star

July 26, 2006 - resigned as national chair of Joe Volpe's campaign due to disagreements over Volpe's position on the war in Lebanon.

Jim Karygiannis

August 14, 2006 - becomes the first official candidate to drop out of the race. He throws his support to Bob Rae.

Maurizio Bevilacqua

August 21–24, 2006 - - National Liberal Caucus meets in Vancouver, BC

Vancouver

August 22, 2006 - Liberal Women's Caucus Leadership Forum in Vancouver.

September 10, 2006 - Quebec leadership and policy forum in Quebec City.

September 15, 2006 - withdraws from the race and endorses Bob Rae.

Carolyn Bennett

September 17, 2006 - British Columbia leadership and policy forum in Vancouver.

September 25, 2006 - withdraws and endorses Bob Rae.

Hedy Fry

September 29 - October 1, 2006 - "Super Weekend" during which all and party clubs elect delegates to the convention.

riding associations

September 30, 2006 - Deadline for candidates to formally register.

October 10, 2006 - A debate for the "frontrunners" is hosted jointly by the and the Empire Club of Canada. It is a tradition, according to the clubs, that dates back 100 years to invite the frontrunning candidates in Toronto mayoral elections as well as Ontario and federal leadership campaigns. Messrs. Ignatieff, Rae, Kennedy and Dion were invited but Mr. Ignatieff declined to attend. Mr. Ignatieff said he would not attend unless all eight candidates were allowed to participate though the clubs said he also offered to come and speak individually without other candidates present.[100]

Canadian Club of Toronto

October 15, 2006 - Toronto leadership and policy forum.

for the results of all past conventions.

Liberal Party of Canada leadership elections

for more information about the selection of party leaders in Canada.

Leadership convention

Endorsements for the Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, 2006

List of ex officio delegates to the Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, 2006

Liberal Party of Canada website

Liberal leadership convention site

Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine

openpolitics.ca: Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006

Overview

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