In Canadian politics a leadership convention is held by the major parties when, to state the obvious, they need to choose a new leader.
Unlike in the United States, where conventions are held every four years to choose the party's presidential nominee, in Canada the leader of a party remains that party's de facto candidate for Prime Minister until such time as he or she quits or is dismissed by the party.
Due to implimentation "one member one vote" systems and proportional delegate elections by most parties, conventions have declined in importance. In recent years, the result of the vote is either known before the convention or the voting does not take place at the venue.
The new Conservative Party of Canada will hold a leadership convention on March 21, 2004. The only declared candidate thus far (January 12, 2004) is Stephen Harper.
Most of the major parties have held conventions recently to choose new leaders:
The Liberals chose Paul Martin as leader on November 14, 2003. As his party controlled a majority in the Canadian House of Commons he was called upon to form a government by the Governor General. Martin was sworn-in as Canada's 21st Prime Minister on December 12, 2003.
The Progressive Conservatives chose Peter MacKay as leader on May 31, 2003.
The New Democrats chose Jack Layton as leader on January 25, 2003.
The Canadian Alliance chose Stephen Harper as leader on March 20, 2002. He was elected to parliament in a by-election on May 13, 2002 and became leader of the opposition on May 21, 2003.
Recent conventions
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