This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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David Bertschi, Justin Trudeau’s challenger for the Liberal leadership in 2013, has accused party brass of purposefully blocking him from running as Liberals’ general election candidates in a move he says is “a purely political decision that came directly from the top.” Bertschi was scheduled to run for nomination in the Ottawa area riding of Ottawa-Orleans and several Liberals allege that he was bound to beat the only other challenger, retired General Andrew Leslie.
Whereas on the other hand, several Liberals are also of the opinion that Leslie would be one of Trudeau’s star candidates since he currently serves as co-chair of an international affairs council set up to advise Trudeau on foreign policy and defence issues. Bertschi has asked Liberals to sign a petition to reverse the decision that barred him from the nomination race, alleging that “back-room, strong-arm politics are for other parties,” adding that “we urge all of you, irrespective of who you support, to make it clear to the Liberal Party of Canada that you want the Liberals of Orleans to pick the next candidate based on merit.” The party has not commented on the matter.
Being the Liberal’s candidate in the 2011 general election, Bertschi won almost 38% of the vote in the riding. However, the seat was won by Conservative MP Royal Galipeau, who secured 45% of the votes. The Ottawa-Orleans situation is one of several Liberal Party over nomination fights that raises questions regarding Trudeau’s commitment to open nominations allowing local Liberals to pick the candidates.
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