April 14, 2013
Westin Hotel, Ottawa
Chairs: Christine Innes (former federal candidate in Trinity-Spadina, Ont.) and MP Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Que.).
Bob Rae defeated Marc Garneau to become interim leader in May 2011 following the party's third-place election finish and Michael Ignatieff's resignation.
Party members chose to delay a full leadership vote until spring 2013.
THE CONTENDERS
Rae decided against a run for the permanent leadership in June 2012, saying it was the best way for him to serve the party. Rae's status had been closely followed, since the party had decreed that any candidates for interim leader promise to not run for the permanent job.
Joyce Murray - The MP for Vancouver Quadra wants a one-time agreement with the NDP and Greens to defeat the Conservatives riding-by-riding. Her main policy planks include women's rights, the digital economy, sustainability, and more proportional representation in the House of Commons.
Candidates had to be Liberal party members, eligible to serve in the House of Commons, and deliver a written nomination with 300 member signatures from at least three provinces or territories. They also had to pay a non-refundable $75,000 entrance fee.
The party set a spending limit of $950,000, a campaign loan limit of $75,000, and a $25,000 liability limit.
THE PROCESS
The biggest change compared to past leadership conventions was who can actually vote. Liberals once chose their leader with delegates selected to represent their local associations, in addition to "ex officio" voters such as MPs, senators, and other party officials.
Party members agreed to move to a "one member, one vote" system in 2009, ending the practice of delegated conventions. And in 2012 they opted to allow "supporters" to join paid members in selecting the leader.
Supporters had to pledge to support Liberal principles and not belong to another party.
About 130,000 members and supporters registered to vote -- less than half of the 294,002 people eligible.
Voters submitted a preferential ballot online or by telephone.
One hundred points were assigned to each riding for equal weight. The points were given to the candidates based on the ratio of votes in each riding, and than added together for a national total.
THE VOTE
Trudeau won a commanding majority on the first ballot: 80% of the national points and nearly 80% of the actual votes cast.