Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick leadership election, 2008
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
held a leadership election
in 2008, following the resignation of Bernard Lord
on December 13, 2006. The Conservatives had last had a leadership election in 1997.
The leadership convention occurred on Saturday, October 18, 2008. The main convention site was at the Aitken University Centre on the UNB Fredericton
campus in Fredericton, NB
. The party also operated satellite convention sites around the province. The event also saw a tribute to former Premier Bernard Lord
on the evening preceding the election.
The PC Party is a fiscally conservative
and otherwise moderate political party in the Province of New Brunswick
, Canada
. It is, with the New Brunswick Liberal Association
, one of two parties that contend for power in the province and most recently controlled the government from winning the 1999 election
until losing the 2006 election
.
On January 5, 2007, it was reported that interim leader
Jeannot Volpé
would not allow the contest to begin until after the first session of the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
closed that June, making it unlikely for the leadership to be decided before late 2007 or possibly into 2008. In fact, the leadership race did not begin in earnest until the end of the second session when David Alward
declared his candidacy on June 19, 2008.
At the party's annual general meeting
in Fredericton on October 20, 2007 it was announced that the convention would be held in the fall of 2008, on February 11, 2008 it was announced that the vote would take place on October 18, 2008 - exactly 11 years after the previous leadership election for the party. The voting will take place primarily at a convention at the Aitken University Centre in Fredericton, but there will be satellite conventions in Moncton, Saint John
, St. Leonard and Bois-Blanc (near Paquetville
) as well as polling stations on Grand Manan, Deer Island and Campobello Island.
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick is a centre-right political party in New Brunswick, Canada. It has its origins in the pre-Canadian confederation Conservative Party that opposed the granting of responsible government to the colony...
held a leadership election
Leadership convention
In Canadian politics, a leadership convention is held by a political party when the party needs to choose a leader due to a vacancy or a challenge to the incumbent leader.- Overview :...
in 2008, following the resignation of Bernard Lord
Bernard Lord
Bernard Lord, ONB, QC, is a Canadian politician and lobbyist. Lord served as the 30th Premier of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006.-Early life:...
on December 13, 2006. The Conservatives had last had a leadership election in 1997.
The leadership convention occurred on Saturday, October 18, 2008. The main convention site was at the Aitken University Centre on the UNB Fredericton
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
campus in Fredericton, NB
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. The party also operated satellite convention sites around the province. The event also saw a tribute to former Premier Bernard Lord
Bernard Lord
Bernard Lord, ONB, QC, is a Canadian politician and lobbyist. Lord served as the 30th Premier of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006.-Early life:...
on the evening preceding the election.
The PC Party is a fiscally conservative
Fiscal conservatism
Fiscal conservatism is a political term used to describe a fiscal policy that advocates avoiding deficit spending. Fiscal conservatives often consider reduction of overall government spending and national debt as well as ensuring balanced budget of paramount importance...
and otherwise moderate political party in the Province of New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is, with the New Brunswick Liberal Association
New Brunswick Liberal Association
The New Brunswick Liberal Association , more popularly known as the New Brunswick Liberal Party or Liberal Party of New Brunswick, is one of the two major political parties in the Canadian province of New Brunswick...
, one of two parties that contend for power in the province and most recently controlled the government from winning the 1999 election
New Brunswick general election, 1999
The 34th New Brunswick general election was held on June 7, 1999, to elect 55 members to the 54th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada. It marked the debut of both Camille Thériault and Bernard Lord as leaders of the Liberals and...
until losing the 2006 election
New Brunswick general election, 2006
The 36th New Brunswick general election was held on September 18, 2006, to elect 55 members to the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
.
On January 5, 2007, it was reported that interim leader
Interim leader
An interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
Jeannot Volpé
Jeannot Volpé
Jeannot Volpé is a Canadian politician in the Province of New Brunswick.Born in Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick, Volpé graduated from the University of Moncton in 1973 with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree and taught school until 1980...
would not allow the contest to begin until after the first session of the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
The 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly was created following a general election in 2006. Its members were sworn-in on October 3, 2006 but it was called into session by the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick on February 6, 2007.-Leadership:...
closed that June, making it unlikely for the leadership to be decided before late 2007 or possibly into 2008. In fact, the leadership race did not begin in earnest until the end of the second session when David Alward
David Alward
David Nathan Alward is a Canadian politician, the 32nd and current Premier of New Brunswick.Alward has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 1999 and has been the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick since 2008...
declared his candidacy on June 19, 2008.
At the party's annual general meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
in Fredericton on October 20, 2007 it was announced that the convention would be held in the fall of 2008, on February 11, 2008 it was announced that the vote would take place on October 18, 2008 - exactly 11 years after the previous leadership election for the party. The voting will take place primarily at a convention at the Aitken University Centre in Fredericton, but there will be satellite conventions in Moncton, Saint John
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
, St. Leonard and Bois-Blanc (near Paquetville
Paquetville, New Brunswick
Paquetville is a Canadian village in Gloucester County, New Brunswick.It is located on the Acadian Peninsula and was founded by Monseigneur Paquet in 1873, who brought several parishioners with him from Shippagan....
) as well as polling stations on Grand Manan, Deer Island and Campobello Island.
Candidates
- David AlwardDavid AlwardDavid Nathan Alward is a Canadian politician, the 32nd and current Premier of New Brunswick.Alward has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 1999 and has been the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick since 2008...
, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2003-2006. Announced his candidacy on June 19, 2008.
-
- Caucus supporters (10 + himself): Jody CarrJody CarrJody Rochelle Carr is a Canadian politician. He is the current member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Oromocto and served in the cabinet for part of 2006....
, Paul RobichaudPaul RobichaudPaul Robichaud is a politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada.He studied at the Shippagan, New Brunswick campus of the University of Moncton. A member of the Progressive Conservative Party since 1985, he first ran for office in the 1995 but was defeated...
, Tony HuntjensTony HuntjensAntoon J. "Tony" Huntjens is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician. A resident of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, where he taught High School for thirty-three years, he is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Western Charlotte.In the fall of 1961,...
, Dale GrahamDale GrahamDale Allison Graham is a politician in New Brunswick, Canada. He is currently a member and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and was a member of the provincial cabinet from 1999 to 2006....
, Trevor HolderTrevor HolderTrevor Arthur Holder, is a New Brunswick politician. He is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick representing the electoral district of Saint John Portland and a government MLA...
, Percy Mockler, Rose-May PoirierRose-May PoirierRose-May Poirier is a Canadian politician from New Brunswick. She has been a member of the Senate of Canada since February 28, 2010. Previously, she served as member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for Rogersville-Kouchibouguac from 1999 to 2010. She is renowned for having pulled...
, Claude LandryClaude LandryClaude Landry is a politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 2006 election as the Progressive Conservative MLA for Tracadie-Sheila.-References:...
, Carl UrquhartCarl UrquhartCarl Urquhart is a politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 2006 election as the Progressive Conservative MLA for York.-References:...
- Caucus supporters (10 + himself): Jody Carr
-
- Member of Parliament Supporters (1): Mike AllenMike Allen (Canadian politician)Michael Allen, better known as Mike Allen, is a Canadian politician. He was elected to represent the riding of Tobique—Mactaquac as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada in the Canadian House of Commons in the January 2006 federal election.Allen comes from a very politically active family...
- Member of Parliament Supporters (1): Mike Allen
- Robert MacLeodRobert MacleodRobert Macleod JP is the Mayor of the City of Palmerston, Northern Territory. He was appointed Mayor in May 2007 following the retirement of Annette Burke.-External links:*...
, former president of party (2007-2008) and son of former interim leaderInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
Malcolm MacLeodMalcolm MacLeodMalcolm MacLeod may refer to:*Malcolm MacLeod , Scottish clan chief*Malcolm MacLeod , British scientist*Malcolm MacLeod , politician from New Brunswick, Canada...
. Announced his candidacy on July 28, 2008.
-
- Caucus supporters (7): John BettsJohn BettsJohn Willis Betts, is a Canadian teacher and politician, who is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Moncton Crescent....
, Bruce Fitch, Bev HarrisonBev HarrisonBeverly John "Bev" Harrison, is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician.-Early life:The son of William and Jean Harrison, Harrison received bachelor degrees in Arts and Education from the University of New Brunswick....
, Kirk MacDonald, Bruce NorthrupBruce NorthrupBruce Northrup is a Progressive Conservative politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 2006 election as the Progressive Conservative MLA for Kings East.Northrup has acted as official Opposition critic for energy and NB...
, Wayne SteevesWayne SteevesO. Wayne Steeves is a politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada.Steeves was born in Lower Coverdale, New Brunswick, the son of Noel Steeves and Vera Downing. A Progressive Conservative, he has been a candidate for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the electoral district of...
, Claude WilliamsClaude WilliamsClaude Williams may refer to:*Claude Williams , American jazz musician*Claude Williams , Canadian politician*Claude Williams , Major League Baseball player known as Lefty Williams...
- Caucus supporters (7): John Betts
-
- Member of Parliament Supporters (1): Rob Moore
Withdrawn
- Bruce Fitch, MLA since 2003, in cabinet 2003-2006. Announced his candidacy on July 14, 2008. Fitch withdrew on September 22 and endorsed MacLeod.
Non candidates
The following individuals were subject of media attention as possible leadership candidates but did not run:- Keith AshfieldKeith AshfieldKeith Ashfield, PC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the MP for the electoral district of Fredericton, and was appointed Minister of State in the Cabinet of Canada afterwards...
, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2003-2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" potential candidate from caucus, but has since decided to seek the nomination to be the Conservative Party of CanadaConservative Party of CanadaThe Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
candidate for FrederictonFredericton (electoral district)Fredericton is a federal electoral district in New Brunswick, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1988. Its population in 2001 was 82,782...
in the next federal election40th Canadian federal electionThe 2008 Canadian federal election was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by the Governor General on September 7, 2008...
.
- Margaret-Ann BlaneyMargaret-Ann BlaneyMargaret-Ann Blaney, is a Canadian journalist and politician. She is currently the member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Rothesay .-Early life:...
, former leadership candidate in 1997, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 1999-2006. Promoted as a potential candidate by former party president Lisa Keenan but stated she would not be a candidate in November 2007. She is serving as neutral co-chair of the election.
- Jody CarrJody CarrJody Rochelle Carr is a Canadian politician. He is the current member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Oromocto and served in the cabinet for part of 2006....
, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2006. When Lord resigned, CBC News reported that he was the only potential candidate indicating a serious look at a Leadership bid and said he would discuss the possibility with his wife. He was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007. However, he was announced as David AlwardDavid AlwardDavid Nathan Alward is a Canadian politician, the 32nd and current Premier of New Brunswick.Alward has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 1999 and has been the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick since 2008...
's leadership campaign manager on June 19, 2008.
- Madeleine DubéMadeleine DubéMadeleine "Mado" Dubé, is a New Brunswick social worker and politician.Dubé has a bachelor degree in social work from l'Université de Moncton and worked for the New Brunswick government as a social worker prior to starting her own business focussing on human development...
, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2003-2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" potential candidate from caucus, however she has since become de facto deputy leader of the opposition and is often referred to by her Liberal opponents as seeking the job and using her higher profile in caucus to improve her chances over her colleagues. She was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007. Dubé was not a candidate and remained neutral in the race in her role as caucus chairCaucus chairA caucus chair is a person who chairs the meetings of a caucus. Often, the caucus chair is assigned other duties as well.-Commonwealth Nations:...
.
- Brad GreenBrad Green (politician)Bradley V. Green, QC is a Canadian lawyer, judge and a former politician in the Province of New Brunswick....
, MLA from 1998-2006, in cabinet 1999-2006. Appointed as a non-partisan justice of the Court of Queen's Bench.
- Robert Hatheway, a Fredericton businessman and orthodontist was mentioned as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007, was reported in June 2008 to be "actively touring the province, assessing the depth of support for his potential candidacy," and launched a website to explore the possibility on July 30, 2008. However, on August 15, 2008, he announced he would not be a candidate. Following his decision not to run Hatheway publicly endorsed David AlwardDavid AlwardDavid Nathan Alward is a Canadian politician, the 32nd and current Premier of New Brunswick.Alward has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 1999 and has been the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick since 2008...
's Leadership bid.
- Trevor HolderTrevor HolderTrevor Arthur Holder, is a New Brunswick politician. He is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick representing the electoral district of Saint John Portland and a government MLA...
, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2005-2006. When Lord resigned, CBC News reported that Holder's candidacy was being promoted by former party president Lisa Keenan and was supported by the PC riding president in Fundy-River ValleyFundy-River ValleyFundy-River Valley is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada. It was established in the 1994 redistribution as Grand Bay-Westfield and, though its boundaries were not changed much in 2006, it was decided to change its name to Fundy-River Valley to...
. However, he endorsed David AlwardDavid AlwardDavid Nathan Alward is a Canadian politician, the 32nd and current Premier of New Brunswick.Alward has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 1999 and has been the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick since 2008...
on the day that the latter entered the race.
- Bernard LordBernard LordBernard Lord, ONB, QC, is a Canadian politician and lobbyist. Lord served as the 30th Premier of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006.-Early life:...
, MLA from 1998 to 2007, premier from 1999 to 2006. The leadership race is being held to chose Lord's successor, however "party members discussed the possibility" of Lord returning at their October 2007 general meeting, indeed "(former) Conservative cabinet minister Omer Leger (said) the possibility shouldn't be counted out". Lord however indicated that a run in this leadership contest "not in the cards".
- Kirk MacDonald, MLA since 1999, in cabinet 2006. He was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007. He endorsed Robert MacLeod for leader.
- Lisa Merrithew, deputy chief of staff to Bernard Lord (2006) and daughter of former provincial and federal cabinet minister Gerald Merrithew.. Merrithew, who is fluently bilingual and was brought in to improve the communications of Premier Bernard Lord's government did oversee the PC Party retaking the lead in opinion polls for the first time in three years and they went on to win the popular vote and narrowly lose the election. Merrithew works at Fleishman-HillardFleishman-HillardFleishman-Hillard International Communications, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world's largest public relations agencies, with a global network of offices as well as offices in 22 cities in the United States. It is a part of Omnicom Group Inc....
. http://fleishman.ca/en/news_views/release.aspx?id=89 She was mentioned again as potential a candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007. However, she endorsed MacLeod on the day that the latter entered the race.
- Percy Mockler, MLA from 1982-1987 and again since 1994, in cabinet 1999-2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" candidate from caucus. He joined David Alward for his campaign announcement and, though he did not endorse Alward, indicated he would not be a candidate.
- Elvy RobichaudElvy RobichaudElvy Robichaud is a former Canadian politician. He last served in 2006 as the member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for Tracadie-Sheila....
, MLA from 1994-2006, in cabinet 1999-2006. He is serving as neutral co-chair of the election.
- Paul RobichaudPaul RobichaudPaul Robichaud is a politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada.He studied at the Shippagan, New Brunswick campus of the University of Moncton. A member of the Progressive Conservative Party since 1985, he first ran for office in the 1995 but was defeated...
, though cited as a potential bilingual caucus contender in some sources, the Telegraph-Journal reported that he was the first caucus member to rule out a run. Despite his initial indication he would not run, on July 2, 2008 it was reported that Robichaud said his inclination to be a candidate was "more yes than no". However, on August 18, 2008, he announced he would not be a candidate. On September 4, 2008 Robichaud announced that he would be supporting David AlwardDavid AlwardDavid Nathan Alward is a Canadian politician, the 32nd and current Premier of New Brunswick.Alward has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 1999 and has been the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick since 2008...
.
- John ThompsonJohn Thompson-Academics:* Sir John Eric Sidney Thompson , English archeologist and Mayan scholar* John G. Thompson , mathematician* John Thompson , professor at Cambridge...
, CEO of Enterprise Greater Moncton. Reported in July 2008 to be "mulling things over" about a potential run. Thompson did not enter the race.
- Jeannot VolpéJeannot VolpéJeannot Volpé is a Canadian politician in the Province of New Brunswick.Born in Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick, Volpé graduated from the University of Moncton in 1973 with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree and taught school until 1980...
was elected as interim leaderInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
on December 19, 2006 and indicated he will not seek the leadership on a permanent basis. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2006/12/20/nb-volpeintermin.html
- Claude WilliamsClaude WilliamsClaude Williams may refer to:*Claude Williams , American jazz musician*Claude Williams , Canadian politician*Claude Williams , Major League Baseball player known as Lefty Williams...
, MLA since 2001, in cabinet 2006. Mentioned as a "less likely" potential candidate from caucus, however he was mentioned again as a potential candidate after the PC annual meeting in late October 2007. However, he endorsed MacLeod on the day that the latter entered the race.
Results
| Candidate | # of votes | % of votes |
|---|---|---|
| David Alward | 2,269 | 56.3% |
| Robert MacLeod | 1,760 | 43.7% |
Timeline
- September 18, 2006 - The Progressive Conservatives fail in their bid to win a third term in government despite winning the popular vote in a close electionNew Brunswick general election, 2006The 36th New Brunswick general election was held on September 18, 2006, to elect 55 members to the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
. - December 12, 2006 - An opinion pollOpinion pollAn opinion poll, sometimes simply referred to as a poll is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample. Opinion polls are usually designed to represent the opinions of a population by conducting a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities in ratio or within confidence...
released by Corporate Research Associates show that the PCs now trail the Liberals by a margin of 65% to 27% while Lord trails PremierPremier of New BrunswickThe Premier of New Brunswick is the first minister for the Canadian province of New Brunswick. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
Shawn GrahamShawn GrahamShawn Michael Graham, MLA is a New Brunswick politician, who served as the 31st Premier of New Brunswick. He received a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree in 1991 and a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1993, he worked for New Brunswick's civil service before being elected to the Legislative...
48% to 23% in leadership preferences. - December 13, 2006 - Lord announces his resignation as leader and his Moncton EastMoncton EastMoncton East is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada. Prior to 2007, it has been held by only two individuals both of whom served as Premier of New Brunswick. Ray Frenette, a Liberal who served as premier from 1997 to 1998, represented the district...
seat in the legislatureLegislative Assembly of New BrunswickThe Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
both effective January 31, 2007. - December 19, 2006 - The party selects Jeannot VolpéJeannot VolpéJeannot Volpé is a Canadian politician in the Province of New Brunswick.Born in Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick, Volpé graduated from the University of Moncton in 1973 with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree and taught school until 1980...
as interim leaderInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
until the convention, he will assume this role upon Lord's formal leaving of office in January. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2006/12/20/nb-volpeintermin.html - October 20, 2007 - The party announces that it will hold a leadership race in the fall of 2008.
- February 11, 2008 - The party announces the election will be held on October 18, 2008.
- June 19, 2008 - David AlwardDavid AlwardDavid Nathan Alward is a Canadian politician, the 32nd and current Premier of New Brunswick.Alward has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 1999 and has been the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick since 2008...
declares his candidacy. - July 2, 2008 - Campaign co-chairs announce rules for the process including a $10,000 entrance fee, $300,000 spending limit and a requirement to publicly disclosure donations of more than $6000.
- July 14, 2008 - Bruce Fitch declares his candidacy.
- July 28, 2008 - Robert MacLeodRobert MacleodRobert Macleod JP is the Mayor of the City of Palmerston, Northern Territory. He was appointed Mayor in May 2007 following the retirement of Annette Burke.-External links:*...
declares his candidacy. - August 21, 2008 - The PC Party announces that the theme of the convention will be "It's A Matter of Trust" and that there will be five "all candidate meetings" in September.
- September 22, 2008 - Fitch withdraws from the race, endorses MacLeod.
- October 18, 2008 - Alward wins the leadership with 56% of the vote.