ottawa –
The Liberal Party of Canada announced its leadership election rules late Thursday, days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would step down as leader once a successor is named.
The party said in a press release that a new leader will be elected on March 9. Party leadership candidates also have until January 23 to declare and pay a $350,000 entry fee, giving potential candidates limited time to raise money.
This fee is a significant jump from the previous leadership race’s $75,000 fee.
Scott Reid, a political analyst for CTV News who also worked with former Prime Minister Paul Martin, said: “Large admission fees will drive away run participants and encourage carpet baggers and special interest groups.” It will keep us away,” he said.
“You want (candidates) to be able to get up on stage and communicate and connect with Canadians and demonstrate that they can be the next prime minister.”
Whoever wins leadership will have just two weeks in their new positions before the House reconvenes on March 24. Prime Minister Trudeau asked the governor Monday after announcing his resignation.
General Mary Simon will adjourn this Congress until late March and end all parliamentary business.
The new leader could also soon face a general election, with opposition parties signaling a move to overthrow the Liberal government at the first opportunity.
Registered voters must be Canadian citizens
Ahead of Thursday’s rule announcement, many lawmakers expressed concern about finding ways to prevent foreign interference and impede the integrity of racing.
An interim report released last May by Foreign Interference Inquiry Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue detailed allegations of potential interference in the Liberal Party’s nomination contest, during which an international student on a bus was identified as a candidate. He is said to have voted in the election in support of the Directed by foreign officials.
The Liberal Party of Canada constitution does not appear to explicitly exclude international students or non-permanent residents from voting in these elections.
However, the Liberal Party says it will update the requirements to become a registered Liberal Party in the next election campaign as a way to “protect the integrity of the democratic process while involving as many people as possible.”
To be a registered Liberal voter, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or otherwise eligible under Indian law. Registered voters must also be 14 years old and cannot be members of any other federal political party in Canada.
Ontario Liberal MP Chandra Arya and former Liberal MP Frank Bayliss announced their intention to enter the race ahead of the announcement of the leadership selection rules.
Thursday’s announcement did not say whether sitting ministers would have to give up their portfolios to run for the top spot.
Ministers including Mélanie Joly, François-Philippe Champagne, Jonathan Wilkinson and Stephen McKinnon have said they are considering running.
Former Liberal National Campaign Director Penny Collenette said she did not think ministers would have an “unfair advantage”.
“The race is so fast that you don’t know what a cabinet minister or someone in a cabinet position can do in a matter of weeks to gain an unfair advantage,” Collett said in an interview with CTV News. “That can get in the way sometimes because you also have to spend time on ministerial duties. So it’s a bit of a double-edged sword.”
Other candidates include former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, and former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark.
With files from CTV News’ Judy Trinh and Spencer Van Dyke
