PCs to choose new leader next year

Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives will choose their next provincial leader next year.

At a meeting yesterday in Halifax, the party's provincial executive chose a leadership convention for November 5-6, 2010, at a location to be determined in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

"After consulting with grassroots Progressive Conservatives, the provincial executive felt it was important that we establish clarity around leadership selection for whoever wants to run for leader," said Scott Armstrong, President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. "Leadership races are great opportunities to bring new people, new ideas and new energy into the party and Progressive Conservatives from one end of this province to the other are looking forward to an exciting contest as we rebuild our party to meet the expectations of Nova Scotians."

The provincial executive agreed that a delegated convention was the best way to respect the equality of all 52 constituencies and provide for an event that would attract interest to the party. Each constituency will be permitted to elect a maximum of 50 delegates. There will also be opportunities for campus clubs to elect delegates and for party office holders such as MLAs, candidates, constituency presidents and provincial executive members to receive delegate spots. Spending limits for each leadership candidate will be the same at $250,000, with a $25,000 deposit required of candidates.

"The Leadership Selection Committee has been directed to make improvements to the rules, based on concerns raised by the party," said Mr. Armstrong. "But on balance, we feel a delegated convention is still the fairest, most democratic way to elect a leader who must campaign and appeal to as wide a spectrum of Nova Scotians as possible."

The provincial executive also named Halifax business person Alice McCarron and Truro lawyer George White as co-chairs of the Leadership Selection Committee. After consultation with the party's 52 constituency presidents, they will present a draft of detailed rules next month to the party's provincial executive for approval.