1968 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election

1968 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election

April 6, 1968
 
Candidate Pierre Trudeau Robert Winters John Turner
4th ballot 1,203 (50.9%) 954 (40.3%) 195 (8.2%)
3rd ballot 1,051 (44.2%) 621 (26.1%) 277 (11.7%)
2nd ballot 964 (40.5%) 373 (19.9%) 347 (14.6%)
1st ballot 752 (31.5%) 293 (12.3%) 277 (11.6%)

 
Candidate Paul Hellyer Joe Greene Allan MacEachen
4th ballot Withdrew Eliminated Eliminated
3rd ballot 333 (15.9%) 29 (1.2%) Eliminated
2nd ballot 465 (19.5%) 104 (4.4%) 11 (0.5%)
1st ballot 330 (13.8%) 169 (7.1%) 163 (6.8%)

 
Candidate Paul Martin Eric Kierans
4th ballot Withdrew Withdrew
3rd ballot Withdrew Withdrew
2nd ballot Withdrew Withdrew
1st ballot 277 (11.6%) 103 (4.3%)

Leader before election

Lester B. Pearson

Elected Leader

Pierre Trudeau

1968 Liberal leadership election
DateApril 6, 1968
ConventionOttawa Civic Centre
Resigning leaderLester Pearson
Won byPierre Trudeau
Ballots4
Candidates9
Entrance feenone
Spending limitnone

The Liberal Party of Canada held a leadership election on April 6, 1968. The election was won by Minister of Justice and Attorney General Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who became the new prime minister of Canada as a result. He was the unexpected winner in what was one of the most important leadership conventions in party history. The Globe and Mail's newspaper report the next day called it "the most chaotic, confusing, and emotionally draining convention in Canadian political history."

The convention was held following the announced retirement of Lester B. Pearson, who was a well-respected party leader and prime minister, but who had failed to win a majority government in two attempts. Eight high-profile cabinet ministers entered the race, but by the time the convention began on April 3, the charismatic Trudeau had emerged as the front runner. He was strongly opposed by the party's right wing, but this faction was divided between former Minister of Trade and Commerce Robert Winters and Minister of Transport Paul Hellyer and failed to mount a united opposition. Trudeau won the leadership with the support of 51% delegates on the fourth ballot of the convention.