Liberal Party of Canada released its leadership race rules a few days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his intention to resign as party leader and prime minister once a successor has been selected.
The party announced that a new leader will be selected on March 9, according to a Liberal press release.
Leadership contestants are required to submit their applications by January 23.
A non-refundable entrance fee of $350,000 is required, representing a significant increase from the $75,000 fee in the previous leadership race.
The leadership race winner will have only two weeks before the House of Commons reconvenes on March 24 to pass a budget bill before the government runs out of money on March 31.
Following his resignation announcement on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Governor General Mary Simon prorogued the current session of Parliament until March 24, which suspended all parliamentary activities.
The new leader may also face a general election soon, as opposition parties have all signalled their intention to bring down the Liberal government at the first opportunity.
Prior to the announcement of Thursday’s rules, numerous MPs expressed concerns regarding the prevention of foreign interference and the integrity of the race.
In a May 2023 interim report by Foreign Interference Inquiry Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue, there were allegations of potential interference in a Liberal nomination race.
It’s alleged that busloads of international students voted for a specific candidate at the direction of foreign officials.
The Liberal Party of Canada’s constitution does not explicitly exclude international students or non-permanent residents from voting in races.
However, they plan to update registration requirements in the upcoming race to protect the democratic process of picking a new leader.
To be registered as a Liberal voter in Canada, an individual must meet the following criteria:
Citizenship or permanent residency status under the Indian Act.
Age of 14 years or older.
Non-membership in any other federal political party in Canada.
Liberal MPs Chandra Arya and former Liberal MP Frank Baylis have announced their intention to enter the leadership race.
Cabinet ministers Melanie Joly, François-Philippe Champagne, Jonathan Wilkinson, and Steven MacKinnon are expected to take a run for the leadership of the Liberal Party.
It is expected that former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, and former B.C. premier Christy Clark will also take a run for it.
