page_title: 2006 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election
section_title: Timeline
hierarchical_section_title: 2006 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election / Timeline
caption_attribution_description: Joe Volpe talking to reporters, presumably about stepping out the race.
context_page_description: The Liberal Party of Canada leadership election of 2006 was prompted by outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin's announcement that he would not lead the Liberal Party of Canada into another election, following his party's defeat in the 2006 federal election in Canada. The party's biennial convention, already scheduled to occur from November 29 to December 1, 2006 in Montreal's Palais des congrès, was followed by the party's leadership convention at the same venue occurring December 2 to December 3, 2006. As the winner, Stéphane Dion led the Liberal Party into the 2008 federal election.
  The party constitution set out a process by which the party leader would be chosen by several thousand delegates, who were elected by riding associations, women's associations, and Young Liberal clubs in proportion to the number of votes they received at a delegate selection meeting of the general membership of that association. Hundreds of other ex officio delegates were automatically awarded delegate spots at the convention, including Liberal Members of Parliament, Senators, riding association presidents, past candidates and members of provincial or territorial association executive boards.
context_section_description: January 23, 2006 - As returns indicate that the Liberals had lost the 2006 federal election to Stephen Harper's Conservatives, Prime Minister Paul Martin concedes the election and announces his intention to resign as Liberal party leader. In his concession speech, held in the early hours of the morning (EST), he states: "I will continue to represent with pride the people of LaSalle—Émard, but I will not take our party into another election as leader".
  January 25, 2006:
  Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada John Manley informs the media that he will not seek the party leadership, stating "While I hope to play a role in the renewal, healing and unification of the Liberal party, I have decided for personal reasons that I will not be a leadership candidate." On election night Manley appeared on CBC television's coverage of the election, and immediately after Prime Minister Paul Martin's announcement was asked whether he might seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.  Manley's response at that time was to poke fun at himself saying: "Some may want a dynamic, charismatic leader. Some others may support me."
  Former Premier of New Brunswick Frank McKenna announces his resignation as Canada's ambassador to the United States.  Although submitted in the context of giving Harper the opportunity to appoint an Ambassador who will support Harper's vision of U.S. - Canada relations, it was widely speculated that he was lining up for a run at the federal Liberal leadership.
  January 30, 2006 - Surprising many pundits, Frank McKenna announces he will not run for the leadership.  Prior to this, McKenna had been tipped and widely reported as the race's frontrunner. While recognizing the significance of the leadership McKenna acknowledged: "You've got pretty good odds of being the prime minister if you're leader of the Liberal party." However, he put an end to his association with the 2006 Liberal Party leadership race, explaining that he did not want "his life to become consumed by politics." as he had allowed it to become when he was premier of New Brunswick. He also said his decision was in part because: "I reminded myself of my vow upon leaving office that, having escaped the trap, I wouldn't go back for the cheese."
  January 31, 2006 - Brian Tobin announces he will not seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. Mr. Tobin rationalized his stepping out of the running as an opportunity for the Liberal Party to heal, revitalize and rejuvenate itself. In his words: "... I think it's time for new blood and I think it's time for new players and I think this is an opportunity for the Liberal party to renew itself and, in the process, to heal itself a little bit as well." and that: "I think that I've had my opportunity and I made my contribution. I enjoyed it enormously."
  February 1, 2006 - Prime Minister Martin announces that he will remain leader of the Liberal Party until his successor is chosen but will not take on the position of leader of the opposition, allowing caucus to choose a parliamentary leader. Later that day the Liberal caucus chooses Bill Graham for that position, and Lucienne Robillard is named as his deputy. Martin subsequently moved up the date his resignation became effective to March 18, 2006.
  February 3, 2006 - Both Lloyd Axworthy and Allan Rock announce they will not run for the leadership of the Liberal party.
  February 6, 2006 - Martin resigns as Prime Minister, succeeded by Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.
  February 8, 2006 - Martha Hall Findlay becomes first to declare candidacy for the leadership.
  March 1, 2006 - The Toronto Star reports that Gerard Kennedy is seriously considering a leadership bid and that he is backed by Senator Terry Mercer, former national director of the Liberal Party of Canada.
  March 9, 2006 - Scott Brison is revealed to have sent an email to an investment banker in November 2005 prior to the Martin government's change of policy on income trusts. It is also revealed that the RCMP had interviewed Brison as part of its investigation on an alleged leak of information on the pol
caption: Joe Volpe speaking to the press, announcing his departure from the race
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