Bob Rae won't run for Liberal leadership
Bob Rae will not seek the permanent leadership of the Liberal party and will continue as interim leader until the new leader is chosen, CBC News has learned.
Rae was widely expected to enter the race and to be a top contender. He will make the announcement publicly in the foyer of the House of Commons at 12:15 p.m. ET after the Liberals' caucus meeting.
Rae's announcement comes just hours ahead of a conference call scheduled for Wednesday night when the party's national executive will set the ground rules for the leadership campaign. Liberals will choose their new leader in early 2013.
When Rae took the reins from outgoing Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff last spring, he agreed that he would not seek the job permanently. There is no rule, however, prohibiting him from entering the race but the executive could have forced him to step down as interim leader if he had decided to run.
Rae had always said he would follow whatever rules were decided by the party and that he would wait until the rules were set before announcing his intention.
As recently as last week, sources were telling CBC News that Rae was preparing to give up the interim leadership post when the House adjourns for the summer recess at the end of June and that he would enter the race.
Rae told Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power and Politics, last week that his decision would be announced shortly after the executive's Wednesday night meeting.
"My understanding is the executive is going to be meeting next week. Once they've made their decision, you know, it'll take a few days for me to make mine," Rae told Solomon. "But it won't take long. I think things will be cleared up, you know, in June."
With Rae out of the race, attention will quickly turn to who is in – and much of the focus will be on Justin Trudeau. He has said in recent days that he is facing a lot of pressure to run for the leadership.
On the way into the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning, MPs Denis Coderre, Marc Garneau and Dominic LeBlanc all said they have not ruled out running for the leadership.
Bob Rae won't run for Liberal leadership - Canada - CBC News
Bob Rae will not seek the permanent leadership of the Liberal party and will continue as interim leader until the new leader is chosen, CBC News has learned.
Rae was widely expected to enter the race and to be a top contender. He will make the announcement publicly in the foyer of the House of Commons at 12:15 p.m. ET after the Liberals' caucus meeting.
Rae's announcement comes just hours ahead of a conference call scheduled for Wednesday night when the party's national executive will set the ground rules for the leadership campaign. Liberals will choose their new leader in early 2013.
When Rae took the reins from outgoing Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff last spring, he agreed that he would not seek the job permanently. There is no rule, however, prohibiting him from entering the race but the executive could have forced him to step down as interim leader if he had decided to run.
Rae had always said he would follow whatever rules were decided by the party and that he would wait until the rules were set before announcing his intention.
As recently as last week, sources were telling CBC News that Rae was preparing to give up the interim leadership post when the House adjourns for the summer recess at the end of June and that he would enter the race.
Rae told Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power and Politics, last week that his decision would be announced shortly after the executive's Wednesday night meeting.
"My understanding is the executive is going to be meeting next week. Once they've made their decision, you know, it'll take a few days for me to make mine," Rae told Solomon. "But it won't take long. I think things will be cleared up, you know, in June."
With Rae out of the race, attention will quickly turn to who is in – and much of the focus will be on Justin Trudeau. He has said in recent days that he is facing a lot of pressure to run for the leadership.
On the way into the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning, MPs Denis Coderre, Marc Garneau and Dominic LeBlanc all said they have not ruled out running for the leadership.
Bob Rae won't run for Liberal leadership - Canada - CBC News
