HALIFAX – The Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia confirmed today that Jamie Baillie will become the party’s next leader at a leadership convention scheduled October 29-30 in Halifax.
Today marked the last day for potential leadership candidates to file applications to be accredited as an official candidate by the party’s Leadership Selection Committee. After 5:00 p.m., the party’s chief elections officer Gavin MacDonald confirmed with 2010 leadership selection committee co-chairs Alice McCarron and George White that Jamie Baillie was the sole certified accredited leadership candidate according to the 2010 leadership rules. These rules were adopted in October 2009 by the party’s provincial executive.
“Last fall, after extensive consultation with our party’s grassroots members, the provincial executive put in place a fair, open and transparent leadership selection process, so that anyone who wished to seek the leadership would have ample time to consider running, organize, raise funds, recruit members and put their name forward as a candidate,” said Robert Batherson, President of the PC Party of Nova Scotia. “Today’s deadline is an important milestone in that process and Progressive Conservatives owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Alice McCarron, George White and their committee for getting us to this stage.”
According to the party’s constitution, a leadership convention must still take place to formally elect Baillie as leader. Last October, the provincial executive set the convention for October 29-30, 2010, at the Cunard Centre in Halifax, while the constitutionally required 75 days notice was provided on August 13.
“On behalf of all Progressive Conservatives, I congratulate Jamie Baillie who, together with his leadership campaign team led by Jamie Muir and Ted Larsen, has worked tremendously hard to earn the right to lead this party,” added Batherson. “Today’s result is a vote of confidence in the talent, experience and ability of Jamie Baillie and his team. I know our provincial executive and our 52 constituency associations are looking forward to working with Jamie Baillie, his team and our elected MLAs to conclude a successful transition and continue with the rebuilding of our party.”
Without a contested leadership race, the party’s leadership selection committee will meet later this week to consider what changes to the 2010 leadership rules need to take place to reflect this reality in the weeks leading up to the convention.
Late today, interim Progressive Conservative Leader Karen Casey submitted her letter of resignation as leader to take effect immediately. Under the party’s constitution members of the Progressive Conservative Caucus will select a new interim leader, subject to a vote by the provincial executive, who will hold office until the leadership convention at the end of October.
“Last June, Karen Casey accepted one of the most difficult jobs in politics – serving as an opposition party leader in the wake of a significant election defeat,” said Batherson. “As party president, I know I speak for many in saying thanks to Karen for the countless hours she has put in crossing the province, in addition to fulfilling her responsibilities as party leader in the legislature and MLA for Colchester North”.
The PC Party of Nova Scotia’s provincial executive is scheduled to meet Saturday, August 21, 10:00 a.m., at the Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill. A meeting of the party’s constituency presidents is also scheduled for Saturday, September 11, at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill.
Contact:
Robert Batherson
President
PC Party of Nova Scotia
902-478-1685 (cell)
