Dion leads Ignatieff heading into final ballot of Canadian Liberal vote
{{date|December 2, 2006}}{{Canadian news}}
[[Image:Stephane dion rally.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Stephane Dion, at a Friday rally.{{image|ycanada_news}}]]
Former environment minister [[Stéphane Dion]] has overtaken former frontrunners [[Michael Ignatieff]] and [[Bob Rae]] to take the lead on the third ballot of the [[Liberal Party of Canada]] {{w|Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006|leadership convention}}. Dion now leads with 1,782 votes (37%) to Ignatieff's 1,660 votes (35.5%).

With 1,375 votes (28.5%) Rae was the last candidate on the ballot and has been eliminated by the contest. He has released his delegates and has decided not to announce his voting intention for the fourth and final ballot.

Former leadership contestants {{w|Joe Volpe}} and {{w|Ken Dryden}}, both of whom endorsed Rae after their withdrawal from the contest are now supporting Dion while {{w|Scott Brison}} who withdrew from the race last night to support Rae is now supporting Ignatieff. Former finance minister {{w|Ralph Goodale}} who endorsed Rae earlier in the week has thrown his support to Dion. 

The results of the final ballot are expected to be announced around 5pm Eastern Time. 

{|class="wikitable"
|+'''Third Ballot'''
|-
!Candidate
!Delegate Support
!Percentage
|-
| Stéphane Dion || 1,782 || 37.0%
|-
| Michael Ignatieff || 1,660 || 34.5%
|-
| Bob Rae || 1,375 || 28.5% 
|-
| Total || 4,817 || 100.0%
|}

{{clear}}

== Related news ==

*{{wikinews|title=Ignatieff tops first ballot in Canadian Liberal convention|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Canadian Liberal vote heads to third ballot|date=December 2, 2006}}

== Sister links ==
{{sister
|w|Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006
}}

==Sources==

*{{source
|url    = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/12/02/liberals.html
|title  = Dion ahead of Ignatieff after third ballot
|author = 
|pub    = CBC News
|date   = December 2, 2006
}}
*{{source
|url    = http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1165060142030&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154
|title  = Rae frees his delegates
|author = Richard Brennan
|pub    = Toronto Star
|date   = December 2, 2006
}}

{{Publish}}
{{archive}}

[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Elections in Canada]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada leadership, 2006]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Bob Rae]]
[[Category:Michael Ignatieff]]
[[Category:Stéphane Dion]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada]]
Stephane Dion, at a Friday rally.
Former environment minister Stéphane Dion has overtaken former frontrunners Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae to take the lead on the third ballot of the Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention. Dion now leads with 1,782 votes (37%) to Ignatieff's 1,660 votes (35.5%).

With 1,375 votes (28.5%) Rae was the last candidate on the ballot and has been eliminated by the contest. He has released his delegates and has decided not to announce his voting intention for the fourth and final ballot.

Former leadership contestants Ken Dryden, both of whom endorsed Rae after their withdrawal from the contest are now supporting Dion while Ralph Goodale who endorsed Rae earlier in the week has thrown his support to Dion. 

The results of the final ballot are expected to be announced around 5pm Eastern Time. 


+'Third Ballot'

Candidate

Delegate Support

Percentage

 Stéphane Dion 

 1,782 

 37.0%

 Michael Ignatieff 

 1,660 

 34.5%

 Bob Rae 

 1,375 

 28.5% 

 Total 

 4,817 

 100.0%
Elections Elections in Canada Liberal Party of Canada leadership, 2006 Canada North America Politics and conflicts Bob Rae Michael Ignatieff Stéphane Dion Liberal Party of Canada