Ontario Liberal Party Grows to 45,000 Strong

TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Yesterday marked the official call of the 2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership race.

The membership deadline to participate in this process was at 11:59 PM on November 23.

Members will vote for their leadership preference at Leadership Election Meetings across the province on Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13, 2013. The entire process will culminate in a Leadership Convention the weekend of Friday, January 25, 2013.

By the deadline, the total number of Ontario Liberal Party members tripled to approximately 45,000 people.

"It is my pleasure to welcome so many more Ontarians into our Party. The growing number of people getting involved in our party's renewal strengthens the connection we have with the people of our province and our shared vision for the future," said Ontario Liberal Party President Yasir Naqvi.

Friday also marked the deadline for candidates for the leadership of the Party to step forward and declare.

There are seven official candidates in the race to succeed Dalton McGuinty as the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and the Premier of Ontario: Eric Hoskins, Gerard Kennedy, Glen Murray, Sandra Pupatello, Charles Sousa, Harinder Takhar, and Kathleen Wynne.

"I think Ontarians will be impressed with the calibre of the candidates who have dedicated themselves to delivering strong community leadership and a deep commitment to the people of this province," said Naqvi.

The candidates will come together to discuss the issues that matter most to Ontarians in a series of five debates over the course of several weeks, beginning in Ingersoll, Ontario on December 1, 2012.

SOURCE: Ontario Liberal Party

Christine McMillan 
Vice President-Communications 
[email protected]