Liberals use convention to energize troops, grow volunteer base for next election
OTTAWA — Thousands of federal Liberals are descending on Halifax for what’s being billed as the unofficial launch of the ruling party’s re-election campaign.
The party expects about 3,000 supporters will have registered by the time its national convention kicks off tonight, making it one of the largest, non-leadership conventions in its history.
And it says more than half of them have never attended a convention before — a testament to the party’s decision to throw open its doors to all comers but also a crucial ingredient for success in the 2019 election.
“This I see as the kick-off on an organizational front to getting organized and getting ready for 2019,” says Suzanne Cowan, a lifelong Liberal who has been acclaimed as the party’s new president.