1973 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election

Canadian provincial party election September 2023 January 2023 Ontario Liberal Party ON Liberal 1973 October 27–28, 1973 Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario Robert Nixon Robert Nixon 4 (6) 3 The Ontario Liberal Party leadership election, 1973, was held on October 27–28, 1973 to replace Robert Nixon who had announced his retirement in 1972. After a change of heart he reversed his decision to retire and entered the leadership race to retain his position. He defeated Norman Cafik on the third ballot by 317 votes. Background On February 12, 1972, at a party annual meeting, Robert Nixon announced that he was resigning as party leader. Initially five names were presented as possible leadership contenders. Murray Gaunt, a farmer; Donald Deacon, MPP and investment dealer; James Bullbrook, lawyer; Vern Singer, MPP and lawyer; and Phil Givens, former mayor of Toronto.Liberal leadership: 5 may enter race for Nixon's position Jonathan Manthorpe The Globe and Mail February 14, 1972 1 Nixon agreed to stay on as party leader until a leadership convention was held. Deacon was the first to announce his candidacy on May 15, 1973. He said he would reduce the sales tax to 5% and make up the revenue by taxing services that the wealthy use. He also said that he would work on proposals for a guaranteed annual income. He was endorsed by Margaret Campbell, Leonard Braithwaite and federal MP Barney Danson.Whether Nixon's in or not Deacon is after post Webster Norman The Globe and Mail May 15, 1973 48 On August 15, 1973, Nixon announced that he was reversing his earlier decision and would be a candidate in the October convention. Changes for the better in Liberal fortunes had figured into his decision.Nixon will seek re-election as Liberal leader Manthorpe Jonathan The Globe and Mail August 16, 1973 5 Other contenders to enter the race were Ted Culp, a teacher from Toronto (September 5), MPP Eddie Sargent (September 11), Michael Houlton, a promoter (October 1), and MP Norman Cafik (October 3). Culp later quit the race on October 18. Culp, who said he ran to highlight issues such as wage and price controls and school curricula found his efforts stymied by the other candidates. He said, "Unfortunately, my purpose was largely obscured by the strange tactics of Deacon and Sargent, who seem to be preoccupied with knifing Bob Nixon in the back. Their performance fully explains why they are still backbenchers."Culp quits Liberal race says he supports Nixon Toronto Star October 19, 1973 A9 According to Peter Oliver, the campaign was rather tedious until Vern Singer was found to have received a $25,000 retainer from a developer working for Ontario Hydro.Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs (1973) John Saywell Peter Oliver University of Toronto Press Toronto 1977 124 Sargent accused Nixon of suppressing the information calling it 'hush money'.Sargent chides Singer over Moog retainer Williamson Robert The Globe and Mail September 18, 1973 5 Singer resigned as Deputy Leader and sued Sargent for defamation of character.Singer will sue Sargent, resigns as deputy leader of Ontario Liberals Williamson Robert The Globe and Mail September 21, 1973 1 On the eve of the convention, Sargent withdrew from the race.'Can't win', Sargent quits Liberal race Toronto Star October 23, 1973 A1, A2 Convention On Saturday October 27, 2,081 Liberal delegates gathered at the Royal York Hotel. The speeches took place during the evening. Each contender was given 25 minutes to speak. During Deacon's address, party president Joe Cruden inadvertently cut him off five minutes early. Deacon continued to speak over shouts of "time". The mistake appeared to deflate his campaign.'Deeply divided' Liberals re-elect Robert Nixon Toronto Star October 29, 1973 1, 2 Balloting began on noon on Sunday, October 28. Houlton was eliminated on the first ballot with only 11 votes. On the second ballot, Deacon was eliminated. He then walked across the convention floor and offer his support to Nixon. While Cafik supporters were incredulous given Deacon's attacks on Nixon during the campaign, Deacon explained his move by saying, "I know Bob, and I know I can count on his integrity." On the third and final ballot, Nixon defeated Cafik by 317 votes. Nixon continued as party leader. He appointed Deacon as Deputy Leader and Jim Breithaupt as House Leader. Ballot results + Delegate support by ballot Candidate 1st ballot 2nd ballot 3rd ballotName Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast % Robert Nixon 730 42.5 768 45.3 922 57.7 Norman Cafik 574 33.4 613 36.1 675 42.3 Donald Deacon 402 23.4 316 18.6Endorsed Nixon Michael Houlton 11 0.6No endorsementTotal 1,717 100.0 1,697 100.0 1,597 100.0 References Category:1973 elections in Canada Category:1973 in Toronto #1973 1973 Category:October 1973 in Canada Ontario Liberal Party leadership election