New Democratic Party leadership election, 2003
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The New Democratic Party leadership election of 2003 was held in order to replace New Democratic Party of Canada leader Alexa McDonough, on account of her retirement. It ended on January 25, 2003, with the first ballot victory of popular Toronto city councillor Jack Layton.
The leadership race was the first to be conducted under the NDP's new partial one member, one vote system, in which the popular vote of the members is weighted for 75% of the result. The rest are votes cast by delegates for affiliated organizations (mainly labour unions). It was also the first Canadian leadership convention to allow Internet voting; delegates who chose to vote electronically were given a password to a secure website to register their votes.
The race was heated, with the leaders campaigning to NDP audiences across Canada. One of the most notable events of the campaign occurred at the convention in Toronto, the day before the election, when candidate Pierre Ducasse made a stirring speech. [1] (http://www.pierreducasse.ca/2003/speech_discours.html) Ducasse's speech attracted widespread praise, [2] (http://misnomer.dru.ca/2003/01/25/ndp_leadership.html) [3] (http://www.mondopolitico.com/elections/canada2004/parties/ndp.htm) although its late delivery was unable to sway the postal and internet votes which had already been cast.
Candidates
- Jack Layton - former Toronto City Councillor (winner, 53.5%)
- Bill Blaikie - Member of Parliament (24.7%)
- Lorne Nystrom - Member of Parliament (9.3%)
- Joe Comartin - Member of Parliament (7.7%)
- Pierre Ducasse - Associate President of the NDP (3.7%)
- Bev Meslo - feminist/socialist, representing the NDP Socialist Caucus (1.1%)