Liberals elect Mike Crawley as party president

OTTAWA — Federal Liberals have elected the former head of the party’s Ontario wing Mike Crawley as their new party president, choosing him over Chretien-era, former cabinet minister Sheila Copps.

Crawley and Copps were said to be the two front-runners in what was deemed to be a very tight, and hotly contested race.

“I am re-energized by all of you,” said Crawley in his acceptance speech.

“The convention has expressed something very clear, that the way forward is about much more than all of us within these four walls. The convention signals a party that is clearly focused on the future.

“A party that will provide a truly new and fresh alternative to Canadians in the months and years ahead,” said Crawley as he thanked Liberals for an “extraordinary” weekend (Jan 13-15).

Speaking to reporters after the results were announced, Copps said Crawley would make a “fantastic president.”

Although gracious in her loss, Copps was not afraid to let her disappointment show, saying “I would have preferred a different result but democracy speaks. Mike has the leadership skills to pull it all together. I have complete confidence in Mike Crawley and the executive that’s been elected.”

Liberals Alexandra Mendes, Ron Hartling and Charles Ward were also in the running for party president. Crawley replaces outgoing party president Alfred Apps.

In his closing speech, interim party leader Bob Rae said it was clear that this convention was about “change and openness.”

“We, Liberals, have embraced change as we rebuild this great national party,” said Rae to a cheering crowd of supporters.

Earlier on Jan 15, Liberals voted in favour of legalizing marijuana, against severing ties with the monarchy, and in favour of a preferential balloting system.

An attempt to adopt a U.S.-style primaries system to choose the next party leader did not receive the two-thirds majority needed to pass, although Liberals did vote 52 per cent in favour of using a system of staggered regional voting days to elect a party leader.

With respect to the resolution on legalizing marijuana, Rae said “the war on drugs has been a complete bust.”

When asked by reporters whether he favoured legalizing marijuana or decriminalizing it, Rae only said he was “comfortable” with the spirit of the resolution but that the party would have to look at the practical implications of turning it into official party policy.

The Jan 15 votes on party resolutions are not binding on the party leadership, but were meant to give the party’s direction on positions.

Passionate arguments were heard on both sides of each policy debate, and in the case of the marijuana resolution Liberals voted 77 percent in favour of legalizing the substance.

Liberals also voted 67 percent to reject a motion that would have seen Canada sever its ties with the monarchy. One young Liberal speaking against the motion, called it a “fringe issue,” while another said it would be very “divisive” for the party.

Quebec Liberal MP Marc Garneau disagreed, favouring severing ties with the monarchy and saying it was “important that we kick off this debate.”

Finally, Liberals also voted 73 percent in favour of a preferential balloting system. The motion states that the party would “implement a preferential ballot for all future national elections.”

On Jan 14, the Liberals voted to allow “supporters” or non-members to vote for their next party leader.

Rae described that change as the “most significant issue” of the three-day conference.

“We’re saying, literally, that the choice of the next leader should be up to all Canadians who are sympathetic to or supportive of the Liberal Party.”

Rae still refused to say whether he would officially run for party leader, and Crawley would only say that “any decision with respect to the rules would be up to the executive of the party.”

A federal Liberal leadership race is not expected until 2013.