DEEPER STILL
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Liberal Leadership Review
On February 20-23, 2003, the Liberal Party will hold a Policy
Convention in Ottawa. At this Convention, the party will hold a
leadership review.
The leadership review is mandated under the Liberal Party’s
constitution. The constitution states that a resolution calling for
a leadership convention shall be placed automatically on the first
convention's agenda following a federal general election. If such a
resolution is adopted, then a leadership convention must be held
within one year to choose a new party leader.
In other words, the party must vote “yes” or “no” on the
question, “should the party call a leadership convention to choose a
new leader?” If the majority vote “yes,” then a leadership
convention must be called within one year.
Liberal Party officials recently decided that the leadership
review will consist of two votes: (1) a party member vote and (2) a
party delegate vote. Prime Minister Chretien must win a majority
(over 50 percent) in both votes to keep his job. However, some have
suggested if Chretien receives less that 70 percent in either vote,
he may choose to step aside.
Member Vote
- A party “member” is any person who has membership in the
federal Liberal Party and has paid their party fees. It is
estimated thatf the Liberal Party has 100,000 members.
- The member vote will take place weeks before the Policy
Convention in Ottawa and the results will be announced during the
Convention.
Delegate Vote
- A party “delegate” is a person elected by Liberal members in a
riding to represent them at the Policy Convention.
- The delegate vote will take place during the Convention.
The two votes are important to Paul Martin. If Prime Minister
Chretien loses the leadership review, Paul Martin will have his
chance to become the new Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister of
Canada. Martin will campaign within the Liberal Party for a “yes”
vote. Chretien (assuming he will contest the leadership review) will
campaign for a “no” vote.
Liberals in the Polls
The following are highlights of an Ipsos-Reid poll released on
June 6, 2002, after Paul Martin’s departure as finance minister.
Jean Chretien’s Approval Ratings
- 46% of Canadian approve of Jean Chretien’s performance as
prime minister. This is the lowest level since he became prime
minister in 1993.
- 49% of Canadians disprove of the Prime Minister’s performance.
- Regionally, the Prime Ministers approval rating is 67% in
Atlantic Canada, 52% in Ontario, 43% in Quebec, 37% in British
Columbia and Alberta, and 30% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Paul Martin’s Approval Ratings
- 78% of Canadians approve of Paul Martin’s past performance as
finance minister.
- 15% of Canadians disapproved of the former Finance Minister’s
performance.
- Regionally, the former Finance Minister’s approval rating is
81% in Quebec, 79% in Ontario, 78% in British Columbia and
Atlantic Canada, 76% in Alberta, and 67% in Saskatchewan and
Manitoba.
Liberal Leadership
- 48% of Canadians believe Paul Martin would make the best
leader of the federal Liberal Party.
- 18% of Canadians believe Jean Chretien is the best leader for
the federal Liberal Party.
- 6% of Canadians believe Heritage Minister Shelia Copps would
make the best leader of the federal Liberal Party.
- 6% of Canadians believe former Federal Minister and former
Newfoundland Premier, Brian Tobin would make the best leader of
the federal Liberal Party.
- 5% of Canadians believe Deputy Prime Minister and new Minister
of Finance, John Manley would make the best leader of the federal
Liberal Party.
- 3% of Canadians believe Minister of Industry, Allan Rock would
make the best leader of the federal Liberal Party.
- 4% indicated that “none of these individuals” would make the
best leader of the federal Liberal party
Check Out the Full Poll Done by Ipsos-Reid
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