May 2, 2009
Vancouver Convention Centre
Stéphane Dion gave notice that he would resign the Liberal leadership following the party's worst result in a federal election. The Liberals fell to 77 seats and 26% of the popular vote in October 2008.
In the meantime, a global economic crisis and the government's plan to cut public financing for political parties led the Liberals and NDP to consider cooperating to defeat the Conservatives.
Dion and Jack Layton, with support from Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, signed an agreement to form a coalition.
A constitutional crisis followed, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper proroguing Parliament until the new year rather than allow a non-confidence vote.
As the coalition idea lost steam, so did Dion's last hope of retaining the leadership. A convention was scheduled for the end of April 2009 in Vancouver.
Michael Ignatieff had strong support within the Liberal caucus. Dominic LeBlanc and Bob Rae both stood aside in early December, leaving Ignatieff unopposed as interim leader and the heir apparent to Dion's office.
Liberal delegates gathered in Vancouver to confirm Ignatieff's promotion to permanent leader. He received 97-per-cent support. The rest of the ballots were spoiled.
Delegates also amended the Liberal constitution to move to a one member, one vote system for future races.
