2009 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election explained

Election Name:2009 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election
Country:Canada
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Year:2006
Next Year:2013
Election Date:May 2, 2009
2Blank:Percentage
Candidate1:Michael Ignatieff
1Data1:1,964
2Data1:97%
Leader
Before Election:Michael Ignatieff (interim)
After Election:Michael Ignatieff
Party:Liberal
Year:2009
Date:April 30 – May 2, 2009
Location:Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
Winner:Michael Ignatieff
Replaces:Stéphane Dion
Numcands:1
Ballots:1
Entryfee:$90,000
Spendcap:$1,500,000

The 2009 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election was prompted by Stéphane Dion's announcement that he would not lead the Liberal Party of Canada into another election, following his party's defeat in the 2008 federal election in Canada. The Liberals, who captured just slightly over 26% of the total votes, scored their lowest percentage in the party's history to that date.

The party's national executive met on November 8, 2008, to set rules for the contest, and chose a date and location for the convention. A biennial and leadership convention was held in Vancouver, British Columbia from April 30 to May 3, 2009, with the new leader being chosen on May 2.[1] Delegates to the convention were chosen from March 6–10, 2009, by those Liberal Party members who joined on or before February 6, 2009.

As a result of the 2008 Canadian parliamentary crisis, culminating in Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper's successful appeal on December 4, 2008, to Governor General Michaëlle Jean to prorogue Parliament until January 26, 2009, there were calls by a number of prominent Liberals, including Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae, for the leadership election process to be accelerated, so that there would be an interim leader in place by the time that Parliament resumed. Former Deputy Prime Minister and former Finance Minister John Manley, writing in The Globe and Mail on December 6, 2008, called for Dion to resign immediately.[2] Dion issued a statement on December 8 agreeing to move up his resignation.

Rae and Ignatieff disagreed on how to accelerate the process, with Ignatieff favouring a vote by caucus on December 10, 2008, to select an interim leader who would then be confirmed as permanent leader in May 2009, and Rae calling for a One Member One Vote method involving the entire Liberal Party membership, to be conducted in January 2009.[3]

On December 8, 2008, Dominic LeBlanc withdrew from the race and threw his support to Michael Ignatieff.[4] [5] That evening the party executive agreed to a compromise proposal that would widen the leadership consultation process to include riding association presidents, defeated election candidates and others but rejected Rae's OMOV proposal. On December 9, 2008, Bob Rae withdrew from the race, leaving Michael Ignatieff as the presumed victor.[6]

As well as ratifying Ignatieff's leadership with the support of 97% of delegates, the convention approved an amendment to the party's constitution to institute a One Member One Vote system for the election of future leaders.[7] A proposal to adopt a weighted system where 25% of the vote in leadership elections would be reserved for members of the party's youth wing was defeated.

Exactly two years later, on May 2, 2011, Ignatieff and the Liberals suffered their worst defeat in history, winning only 34 seats and being reduced to third place in the election.

Timeline

Declared candidates

The following candidates declared their intention to run for the leadership:

Michael Ignatieff

Michael Ignatieff, 62, was the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke—Lakeshore since 2006; former leadership front-runner in 2006 before being defeated by Stéphane Dion on the final ballot; Deputy Liberal Leader since 2006.[8]

Date campaign launched: November 13, 2008

Campaign website: michaelignatieff.ca

Supporters
  • MPs: (46) Scott Andrews, Avalon; Larry Bagnell, Yukon; Navdeep Bains, Mississauga—Brampton South; Mauril Belanger, Ottawa—Vanier; Maurizio Bevilacqua, Vaughan; Gerry Byrne, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte; John Cannis, Scarborough Centre; Siobhan Coady, St. John's South—Mount Pearl; Denis Coderre, Bourassa; Bonnie Crombie, Mississauga—Streetsville; Jean-Claude D'Amours, Madawaska—Restigouche; Sukh Dhaliwal, Newton—North Delta; Kirsty Duncan, Etobicoke North; Wayne Easter, Malpeque; Raymonde Folco, Laval—Les Îles; Judy Foote, Random—Burin—St. George's; Marc Garneau, Westmount—Ville-Marie; Albina Guarnieri, Mississauga East—Cooksville; Mark Holland, Ajax—Pickering; Andrew Kania, Brampton West; Jim Karygiannis, Scarborough—Agincourt; Dominic LeBlanc, Beauséjour; Derek Lee, Scarborough—Rouge River; Gurbax Malhi, Bramalea—Gore—Malton; Keith Martin, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca; John McCallum, Markham—Unionville; David McGuinty, Ottawa South; John McKay, Scarborough-Guildwood; Dan McTeague, Pickering—Scarborough East; Maria Minna, Beaches—East York; Rob Oliphant, Don Valley West; Glen Pearson, London North Centre; Yasmin Ratansi, Don Valley East; Geoff Regan, Halifax West; Pablo Rodriguez, Honoré-Mercier; Todd Russell, Labrador; Francis Scarpaleggia, Lac-Saint-Louis; Mario Silva, Davenport; Scott Simms, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor; Michelle Simson, Scarborough Southwest; Judy Sgro, York West; Paul Szabo, Mississauga South; Alan Tonks, York South—Weston; Frank Valeriote, Guelph; Bryon Wilfert, Richmond Hill; Lise Zarac, LaSalle—Émard[9]
  • Past MPs: (1) Omar Alghabra, Mississauga—Erindale
  • Provincial politicians: (1) Dwight Duncan ON Minister of Finance and MPP for Windsor—Tecumseh
  • Senators: (2) Larry Campbell,[10] David Smith
  • Other prominent individuals: (10) Liberal organizers Steven MacKinnon, Michael Eizenga, Mark Marissen, Warren Kinsella, and Don Guy; party executives Marc-André Blanchard, Brigitte Legault, and Ryan Ward; past candidates Tyler Banham and Penny Collenette

    Withdrawn candidates

    Dominic LeBlanc

    Dominic LeBlanc, 41, was the Member of Parliament for Beauséjour since 2000, fluently bilingual Acadian with deep roots in the party. His father, Roméo, was press secretary to Pierre Trudeau, later an MP and cabinet minister, and eventually became Governor General.[11] On October 27, LeBlanc became the first candidate to declare his candidacy for the Liberal Party leadership.[12] On December 8, 2008, LeBlanc withdrew from the leadership race and endorsed Michael Ignatieff.

    Date campaign launched: October 27, 2008

    Date campaign ended: December 8, 2008

    Supporters
  • Senators: (1) Percy Downe[10]
  • Provincial politicians: (4) Victor Boudreau NB Minister of Finance and MLA for Shediac-Cap-Pelé; Greg Byrne NB Minister of Business New Brunswick and MLA for Fredericton-Lincoln; Shawn Graham NB Premier and MLA for Kent; Doug Tyler NB former Deputy Premier and former MLA for Grand Lake
  • Other prominent individuals: (5) party advisers and organizers Scott Reid, Tim Murphy, Steven Hogue, Mark Watton, and Janice Nicholson

    Bob Rae

    Bob Rae, 60, had been the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre since 2008; former Ontario New Democratic Party Premier of Ontario (1990-1995), NDP MP for Broadview-Greenwood (1979–1982); former federal Liberal leadership contender placing third in 2003. Rae had been under increasing pressure to bow out of the leadership contest. On December 9, 2008, Bob Rae officially withdrew from the race, leaving Michael Ignatieff the winner by default.[13]

    Date campaign launched: October 31, 2008

    Date campaign ended: December 9, 2008

    Supporters
  • MPs: (10) Hedy Fry, Vancouver Centre; Lawrence MacAulay, Cardigan; Shawn Murphy, Charlottetown; Michael Savage, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour; Alexandra Mendes, Brossard—La Prairie; Gerard Kennedy, Parkdale—High Park; Anita Neville, Winnipeg South Centre; Irwin Cotler, Mount Royal; Joe Volpe, Eglinton—Lawrence; Carolyn Bennett, St. Paul's
  • Past MPs: (6) Reg Alcock, Winnipeg South;[14] Chris Axworthy, Saskatoon—Clark's Crossing; Lloyd Axworthy, Winnipeg North Centre; Raymond Chan, Richmond; Diane Marleau, Sudbury; Anne McLellan, Edmonton Centre
  • Senators: (15) Sharon Carstairs,[15] Mobina Jaffer, Gerard Phalen, Joan Cook, William Rompkey, Peter Stollery, Mac Harb, Lorna Milne, Pierre De Bane, Serge Joyal, Michel Biron, Yoine Goldstein, Robert Peterson, Pierrette Ringuette, Raymond Setlakwe
  • Past Senators: (1) Jack Austin
  • Provincial politicians: (4) Gulzar Singh Cheema MB former MLA for Kildonan and BC former Minister of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services and former MLA for Surrey-Panorama Ridge; Kevin Lamoureux MB MLA for Inkster; George Smitherman ON Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and MPP for Toronto Centre; Greg Sorbara ON former Minister of Finance and MPP for Vaughan;[16]
  • Other prominent individuals: (12) Jonathan Goldbloom, Montreal communications consultant; Karl Littler, former senior Paul Martin strategist; John Duffy, Martin strategist, political author, and consultant;[17] Power Corporation executive and former Chrétien advisor John A. Rae; former Young Liberals of Canada President Richard Diamond, Nick Taylor, Colin MacDonald, Roy Bluehorn, Monica Lysak, Walter Noel, Ronald St.-Onge Lynch, Jake Gray.

    Potential candidates who did not run

    Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Brampton South; when Bains was elected for the first time in 2004 he was the youngest Liberal MP in Parliament.[18] Reported to be backing Ignatieff.

    Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants. First elected as a Progressive Conservative in 1997. Crossed the floor to the Liberals in 2003 and served as Minister of Public Works from 2004 to 2006. Former Liberal leadership contender.[19]

    Former Member of Parliament (1993-2004). Former Minister of Justice.[20] "While my heart says yes, the realities of fundraising and organization are too daunting at this time."[21]

    Member of Parliament for Bourassa since 1997, federal cabinet minister from 2002 to 2006. «Je ne serai pas candidat à la prochaine course au leadership. J'ai le goût d'être chef du parti et je pense avoir les capacités pour être chef du parti, mais, comme dit la chanson, "I have the right love at the wrong moment".»[22] [23] [24]

    Member of Parliament for Brampton—Springdale since 2004.[25] On November 18, she was reported saying "I am currently consulting with supporters and senior Liberals from coast to coast as to what the future holds. I will be making my decision public in the near future."[26] A month later, the Brampton Guardian reported she will not be a candidate and quoted her saying "Taking a lot of factors into consideration, I realized this wasn't the right time for myself."[27]

    Member of Parliament for Vancouver South since 2004. Federal Minister of Health from 2004 to 2006. Former NDP Premier of British Columbia. Said on November 6 on Mike Duffy Live that due to his lack of French, a bid by him would be "unrealistic."

    Member of Parliament for York Centre. Former federal Minister of Social Development, and former leadership contender. Former National Hockey League goaltender whose playing career won a place for him in the Hockey Hall of Fame.[18]

    Member of Parliament for Willowdale; First elected in 2008; Former leadership contender. She said the fact that she still owes about $170,000 from the last leadership contest "played a big role" in her decision to not run this time.[28]

    Member of Parliament for Parkdale—High Park; first elected in 2008; former Ontario Education minister; former leadership contender.[29]

    Former Member of Parliament and former Deputy Prime Minister under Jean Chrétien released an announcement saying "I found that there was indeed water in the pool.... However, I truly found that in my mind and heart, I have moved on from the world of elected office. I also found that I lacked the burning ambition necessary to mount and sustain such a campaign."[30]

    Green Party of Canada leader, in response to rumours of a Draft May movement, May said "The Green Party is my home and the Green party is where I'll stay."[31]

    Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, first elected in 2004. Younger brother of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Says he wishes to focus on his duties as an MP[33]

    The former Premier of New Brunswick, as well as the former ambassador to the US, has said "Although I have been deeply moved by expressions of support for me from across the country, I have not been persuaded to change my long-standing resolve to exit public life for good."[34]

    Former Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador & federal cabinet minister said in London that he will "absolutely not," consider running for Liberal leadership.[36]

    Member of Parliament for Eglinton-Lawrence First elected in 1988. Former Ontario Cabinet Minister; former leadership contender. "I was delighted to be a candidate," Volpe said. "It did not turn out well in part because people tried to frame me into a discussion regarding me that had nothing to do with policy issues. I'm not sure I want to go through that experience again."[38]

    Results

    First ballot
    CandidateDelegate countPercentage
    Michael Ignatieff1,96497%
    Spoiled ballots593%
    Total2,023100%

    Notes and References

    1. News: Federal Liberals to pick new leader May 2 in Vancouver . Vancouver Province . 2008-11-08 . 2008-11-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120214185615/http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=4cad73a9-ca29-4e0e-8fd4-ebff99025cff . 2012-02-14 .
    2. The Globe and Mail, December 6, 2008, p. A25.
    3. News: Canada . Ignatieff makes his move . The Globe and Mail . 2008-12-08 . 2015-10-20 . Toronto . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ignatieff-makes-his-move/article1067210/ . live .
    4. News: LeBlanc to drop out of Liberal leadership race, support Ignatieff . Cbc.ca . 2008-12-07 . 2015-10-20 . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/leblanc-to-drop-out-of-liberal-leadership-race-support-ignatieff-1.731292 . live .
    5. Web site: CTV News LeBlanc to drop out of race, support Ignatieff . Ctv.ca . 2010-04-28 . 2008-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081209093812/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081206/rae_ignatieff_081207/20081207?hub=Politics . live .
    6. News: Rae bows out, offers 'unqualified' support for Ignatieff as Liberal leader . Cbc.ca . 2008-12-09 . 2015-10-20 . 2015-10-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151016201454/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rae-bows-out-offers-unqualified-support-for-ignatieff-as-liberal-leader-1.732354 . live .
    7. News: Bruce Campion-Smith Ottawa bureau chief . Liberals adopt one-member-one-vote system . thestar.com . 2009-05-02 . 2010-04-28 . Toronto . 2009-05-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090505175049/http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/628077 . live .
    8. News: Ignatieff's in, Kennedy's out . Globe and Mail . Jane Taber . 2008-11-12 . 2015-10-20 . Toronto . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ignatieffs-in-kennedys-out/article20389848/ . live .
    9. News: 46 MPs back Ignatieff . thestar.com . 2010-04-24 . 2010-04-28 . Toronto . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081212053649/http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/550753 . 2008-12-12 .
    10. News: Ignatieff's candidacy determines Liberal battle lines . Theglobeandmail.com . 2008-11-13 . 2015-10-20 . Toronto . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ignatieffs-candidacy-determines-liberal-battle-lines/article17974197/ . live .
    11. News: Possible Liberal leadership contenders. 2008-10-20. Canadian Press. 2008-10-21.
    12. News: LeBlanc seeks, Manley tests Liberal support . 27 October 2008 . The Globe and Mail . 2010-04-28 . Toronto . 2008-10-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081031094413/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081027.wleblanc1028/BNStory/politics/home . live .
    13. News: Joanna Smith & Joan Bryden . Rae to seek Liberal leadership . Toronto Star . 2008-10-31 . 2008-11-12 . 2008-11-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081103045019/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/528389 . live .
    14. News: Rae to formally launch campaign Thursday . Theglobeandmail.com . 2008-11-20 . 2015-10-20 . Toronto . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/rae-to-formally-launch-campaign-thursday/article20390116/ . live .
    15. Web site: Bob Rae gearing up for Liberal leadership race . Toronto.ctv.ca . 2008-10-31 . 2015-10-20 . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.ctvnews.ca/bob-rae-gearing-up-for-liberal-leadership-race-1.338580 . live .
    16. News: Rae joins leadership race . thestar.com . 2008-11-01 . 2010-04-28 . Toronto . Joanna . Smith . Richard . Brennan . 2011-08-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110815091514/http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/528703 . live .
    17. News: Canada . Rae to focus on economy in battle with Ignatieff . The Globe and Mail . 2008-11-13 . 2015-10-20 . Toronto . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081113.wliberals14/business . live .
    18. News: Federal Election - Who's running for the Liberal leadership? . Thestar.com . 2008-10-16 . 2010-04-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081019030519/http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/518361 . 2008-10-19 . dead .
    19. Web site: Chronicle-Herald . Thechronicleherald.ca . April 28, 2010 . 2010-04-28.
    20. Web site: CTV News Cauchon takes pass on Liberal leadership contest . https://archive.today/20120801193752/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081118/cauchon_leadership_081118/20081118?hub=QPeriod . live . August 1, 2012 . Ctv.ca . 2008-11-18 . 2010-04-28.
    21. News: Cauchon to announce he will not seek Liberal leadership . Theglobeandmail.com . 2015-10-20 . Toronto . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081118.wcauchon19/front/Front/Front/ . live .
    22. News: Course au leadership du PLC - Coderre passe son tour . Hélène . Buzzetti . Le devoir . 2008-11-12 . 2015-10-20 . fr . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174720/http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/215604/course-au-leadership-du-plc-coderre-passe-son-tour . live .
    23. News: Ignatieff picks up key Dion backers . Juliet . O'Neill . Calgary Herald . 2008-11-12 . 2008-11-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121106020618/http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=664d93ef-af3a-4cf7-bf6c-89a0ab7190cf . 2012-11-06 .
    24. News: Liberals cast themselves in leader's light. Bryden. Joan. 2008-10-20. Toronto Star. 2008-10-21. 2012-10-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20121013063631/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/520836. live.
    25. News: The possible contenders . Greenaway . Norma . 2008-10-20 . Canwest News Service . 2008-10-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081025105042/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=0eb56ee0-b669-44ba-ab00-8e62388619b4 . 2008-10-25 .
    26. Web site: The Brampton Guardian: Providing Local Community News for Brampton, Ontario 24/7 . Northpeel.com . 2010-04-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090106180936/http://www.northpeel.com/news/article/60551 . 2009-01-06 . dead .
    27. Web site: The Brampton Guardian: Providing Local Community News for Brampton, Ontario 24/7 . Northpeel.com . 2010-04-28.
    28. News: Hall Findlay won't seek to lead Liberals . Theglobeandmail.com . 2008-11-11 . 2015-10-20 . Toronto . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/hall-findlay-wont-seek-to-lead-liberals/article1065447/ . live .
    29. News: Kennedy won't seek Liberal leadership . CBC News . 2008-11-12 . 2015-10-20 . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kennedy-won-t-seek-liberal-leadership-1.701215 . live .
    30. News: Manley says no to Liberal leadership race . Canada.com . Juliet . O'Neill . 2008-11-04 . 2015-10-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=7ad98d1f-e324-4ff9-bdd1-1ca3c62fa499 . 2016-01-25 .
    31. News: Elizabeth May Vows Byelection Run . Michael . Tutton . Westcoaster.ca . 2008-10-16 . 2008-11-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081024050826/http://www.westcoaster.ca/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=5354 . October 24, 2008 .
    32. News: No interest in Dion's job, premier says . Thestar.com . 2010-04-24 . 2015-10-20 . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2008/10/21/no_interest_in_dions_job_premier_says.html . live .
    33. News: David McGuinty won't run in Grit leadership race . Edmonton Sun . 2008-11-12 . 2008-11-12.
    34. Web site: Frank McKenna won't run for Liberal leadership . Ctv.ca . 2008-10-28 . 2015-10-20 . 2016-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125174718/http://www.ctvnews.ca/frank-mckenna-won-t-run-for-liberal-leadership-1.337758 . live .
    35. Web site: Dembicki . Geoff . Carole Taylor nixes idea she'll replace Dion for federal Liberals . Thetyee.ca . 2008-10-23 . 2015-10-20 . 2015-09-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150909203448/http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Federal-Politics/2008/10/23/TaylorFederal/ . live .
    36. http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/CanadaWorld/2008/10/25/7200796-sun.html London Free Press, 25 October 2008
    37. http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9sXjtXclchGYxvuTtOB-TnV6ShA Canadian Press
    38. Web site: Volpe says no to seeking Liberal leadership . Insidetorontovotes.ca . 2008-10-16 . 2008-11-12.

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