Nova Scotia Liberal Party leadership election, 2007
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The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia will hold a leadership convention on April 27, 2007 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, following the resignation of Francis MacKenzie, shortly after failing to win a seat in the 2006 election. This will be the third leadership convention for the Liberals since 2002.
The Liberal Party is a centrist political party in the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is, with the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, one of two parties that have formed a government in the province and controlled the government for much of the province's history being in power from Canadian Confederation in 1867 to 1878, 1882 to 1925, 1933 to 1956, 1970 to 1978 and 1993 to 1999. However, since the 1999 election it has been relegated to third party status behind the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party of Nova Scotia.
The new leader will be chosen by a full delegated convention, the first in the party since 1986, after which time the party adopted a one member one vote system used in the 1992 and all subsequent leadership contests.
Michel Samson is the interim leader of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia, and leader in the House of Assembly for the third place party.
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[edit] Rules
The party issued a 78 page document, outlining the rules, on January 15, 2007.[1]
[edit] Analysis
[edit] Opinion polls
[edit] Candidates
- Kenzie MacKinnon, lawyer and three-time Liberal candidate [2]
- Stephen McNeil, MLA for Annapolis [3]
- Mike Smith, mayor of Colchester County[4]
- Diana Whalen, MLA for Halifax-Clayton Park [5]
Various members of the party announced that they would not seek the leadership. Among them were Michael Savage, interim leader Michel P. Samson, Liberal MP Geoff Regan,[6] and Dartmouth physician John Gillis.[7]
Scott Brison has been rumoured to run, despite being a Member of Parliament. While Leo Glavine has not formally announced that he won't run, he has endorsed Stephen McNeil.
[edit] Endorsements
The following is a list of high-profile endorsers, other than current members of the provincial caucus, for each of the candidates followed by the members of caucus and who they have endorsed.
[edit] MacKinnon
- Mary Clancy, former Member of Parliament
- Russell MacLellan, former Premier of Nova Scotia[8]
[edit] MacNeil
- Leo Glavine, MLA for Kings West
- Harold "Junior" Theriault, MLA for Digby-Annapolis
- Hon. Rodger Cuzner, MP - Cape Breton-Canso[9]
- Hon. Robert Thibault, PC, MP - West Nova
- Senator Jim Cowan
- Don Downe, former MLA, Lunenburg West
- Dr. Jim Smith, former MLA, Dartmouth-East
[edit] Smith
- Ed Kinley, former MLA for Halifax Citadel
- Ed Lorraine, former provincial Minister of Agriculture
[edit] Whalen
- Dave Wilson, MLA for Glace Bay
- Bernie Boudreau, former MLA and Senator
- Geoff Regan, Liberal MP for Halifax West
[edit] Caucus members yet to endorse
- Keith Colwell, MLA for Preston, has not endorsed a candidate.
- Wayne J. Gaudet, MLA for Clare, has not endorsed a candidate.
- Michel P. Samson, MLA for Richmond, is the interim leader and is expected to remain neutral in the leadership race.
- Manning MacDonald, MLA for Cape Breton South, has not endorsed a candidate.
[edit] Party general meeting
In addition to the leadership convention, the party will hold its Annual General Meeting including the election of officers, adoption of policies and potential constitutional amendments.
[edit] Results
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[edit] Timeline
- January 10: Mike Smith, the mayor of Colchester County, becomes the first registered candidate, launching his campaign in Truro.[10]
- January 12: Interim leader Michel Samson announces that he will not run for party leadership.[11]
- January 18: Halifax-Clayton Park MLA Diana Whalen becomes the second and highest profile candidate in the race, launching her campaign in Halifax.
- January 19: Kenzie MacKinnon announces that he will enter the leadership race.
- January 30: Annapolis MLA Stephen McNeil becomes the second MLA to enter the race; he is the first to have endorsements from current MLAs.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.liberal.ns.ca/default.asp?mn=1.6&sfield=content.id&search=2206
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/01/19/mackinnon-liberal.html
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/01/30/mcneil-liberal.html
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/01/10/smith-liberal.html
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/01/18/whalen-liberal.html
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ http://www.stephenmcneil.com/media7.htm
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/01/10/smith-liberal.html
- ^ "Samson stays out of Grit leadership race", CBC News, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2007-01-12. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. (in English) “Michel Samson, the acting leader of Nova Scotia's Liberals, says he doesn't want to make the job permanent. Samson confirmed Friday he won't run for the party leadership in April...”
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Nova Scotia Liberal Party
- Leadership website
- Official campaign sites for MacKinnon, McNeil, Smith, Whalen
