The Liberal Party of Canada held a leadership election on November 14, 2003, electing former finance minister Paul Martin as the party's new leader, replacing outgoing leader (and prime minister) Jean Chrétien.

Stakes for the race were high as the winner would go on to become prime minister, in addition to leading a party that was high in the polls without a significant challenger.

Paul Martin spent the entire race as the front runner, as his supporters had secured a lock on the party executives of the federal and most provincial sections of the party. Because of Martin's apparent strength, several prominent candidates, such as Allan Rock, and Brian Tobin, did not go beyond the formative stages.

Martin's only serious challengers were John Manley, who withdrew before delegate selection began, and Sheila Copps. Martin easily captured the leadership with 93.8% of the delegates.

The party would be beset by significant infighting afterwards, as he and his supporters moved to remove Chrétien supporters from cabinet and even from Parliament. Martin's initial tactics to secure the leadership were generally seen, in retrospect, as weakening his eventual tenure as prime minister.

Timeline 2002 June 2 – Paul Martin resigns as Finance Minister of Canada. John Manley is named to replace him. August 21 – Prime Minister Jean Chrétien tells Canadians he will step down in February 2004.

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 – 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 3,242 of 3,455 votes against Copps. November 28 – Manley announces his retirement from politics. December 12 – Martin is sworn in as Canada's prime minister, along with his cabinet.

Candidates Sheila Copps

Background Sheila Copps, 50, had been MP for Hamilton East, Ontario, since 1984. At the time of the leadership election, she was Minister of Canadian Heritage, since 1996. Previously, Copps had been Deputy Prime Minister (1993–1996, 1996–1997), Minister of the Environment (1993–1996), Minister of the Multiculturalism and Citizenship (1996), Minister of the Communications (1996), and Minister of Amateur Sport (1996–1999). Copps was a candidate during the 1990 leadership election, finishing in third. Date campaign launched: February 13, 2003

Paul Martin

Background Paul Martin, 65, had been MP for LaSalle—Émard, Quebec since 1988. From 1993 to 2002, he was Minister of Finance. Martin had previously stood for the leadership in the 1990 leadership election, finishing second. The combination of his leadership ambitions and Jean Chrétien's slim win during the 1997 election led to a period of infighting within the party, resulting in Martin leaving cabinet in June 2002, and Chrétien, in the face of a leadership review, announcing his intention to step down February 2004. Date campaign launched: March 7, 2003

Withdrawn candidates John Manley

Background John Manley, 53, had been MP for Ottawa South, Ontario since 1988. At the time of his candidacy, he was the incumbent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, both since 2002. Previously, Manley had been Minister of Industry, Science and Technology (1993–1995), Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (1993–1995), Minister of Industry (1995–2000) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2000–2002).Manley withdrew from the race on July 22, 2003 and endorsed Martin. Date campaign launched: March 17, 2003 Date campaign ended: July 22, 2003

Endorsements

Declined to run Don Boudria, MP for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Martin Cauchon, MP for Outremont and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Herb Dhaliwal, MP for Vancouver South—Burnaby and Minister of Natural Resources Frank McKenna, former Premier of New Brunswick Anne McLellan, MP for Edmonton Centre and Minister of Health Dennis Mills, MP for Toronto—Danforth Maria Minna, MP for Beaches—East York Pierre Pettigrew, MP for Papineau—Saint-Denis and Minister for International Trade Allan Rock, MP for Etobicoke Centre and Minister of Industry Brian Tobin, former Premier of Newfoundland

Results + First Ballot Candidate Delegate Support Percentage Paul Martin 3,242 93.8% Sheila Copps 211 6.1%Spoiled ballots 2 0.1% Total 3,455 100%

Notes

References

External links CBC report from the Convention, Video