2003 Liberal Party of Canada leadership race

2003 Liberal Party of Canada leadership race ended on November 14, 2003 with Paul Martin victorious. The campaign had lasted several years.

Paul Martin sepnt the entire race as the unquestionable front runner. Because of this many notable candidates did not enter the race, or dropped out as did John Manley. Stakes for the race were very high as the winner would become Prime Minister, and would take over aprty that was still high in the polls and likely to win reelection.

Outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chretien was often viewed as working to try and prevent Martin's victory and did much to try and boost Manley's chances.

Table of contents

1 Candidates
2 Dropped out
3 Announced they would not run
4 Timeline
5 2003
6 2002

Candidates

Paul Martin - former finance minister (winner, 93.8%)
Sheila Copps - Heritage Minister (6.2%)

Dropped out

John Manley - Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister

Announced they would not run

Allan Rock - Industry Minister
Frank McKenna - Former New Brunswick Premier
Brian Tobin - Former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier

Timeline

2003

December 12 - Paul Martin, Jr is sworn in as Canada's 21st Prime Minister, along with his cabinet.
November 28 - Liberal Party of Canada member John Manley announces his retirement from politics.
November 14 - Paul Martin officially becomes leader of the Liberal Party of Canada winning 3242 of 3455 votes against Sheila Copps.
September 21 - Paul Martin's victory becomes a certainty when he secured 92% of the party delegates from across the country.
July 22 - John Manley drops out of the race.
March 17 - John Manley announces he is going to run for leader
March 7 - Paul Martin announces he is going to run for leader
February 13 - Sheila Copps announces she is going to run for leader

2002

August 21 - Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien tells Canadians he will step down in February, 2004.
June 2, 2002- Paul Martin resigns as Finance Minister of Canada. John Manley is named to replace him.