Nova Scotia Liberal Party to set rules, date for leadership contest this weekend

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil announces that he is stepping down as party leader and premier at a news conference in Halifax on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. The Nova Scotia Liberal Party says it will meet this weekend to discuss details of its formal leadership process following the sudden resignation of Premier Stephen McNeil nearly two weeks ago. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Liberals will meet this weekend to discuss the rules governing how the party will select its new leader.

Party president Joseph Khoury said today the board will also set a date for the leadership convention, following the sudden resignation of Premier Stephen McNeil.

McNeil announced his departure Aug. 6, saying that after 17 years in provincial politics, it was time for a change.

During his six years as premier, McNeil earned a reputation as an ardent fiscal conservative. He said he would stay on until the Liberals select a new leader.

No one has officially entered the race.

The next leader of the Liberals will become premier of Nova Scotia.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2020.