[fvc-wat-disc] saw this in the news

[Peter Croves]

The Liberal Party's national campaign co-chairs have declared a "state of
electoral urgency," a procedural move that will allow the party to speed up
the nomination processes for local candidates ahead of the next federal
election.

It's the latest sign that the federal parties are preparing for a possible
fall election. The Conservative Party is prepared to invoke a similar
measure if an election is called to get many more would-be MPs nominated on
a faster timeline.

MPs also unanimously agreed last night to hold a "take-note debate" in the
House of Commons on June 15 to allow members who aren't running again to
"make their farewell speech."

In a message to some senior members of the party Thursday, the Liberal
co-chairs — Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly and former cabinet
minister Navdeep Bains — said they are invoking rule 18 of the national
rules for the selection of candidates as of today "in all remaining
ridings" that have yet to nominate a candidate.

CBC News has seen a copy of the message that was sent to national and
provincial and territorial party leaders and organizers.

Under that rule, the two can "alter the timelines and procedures ... in
such a manner as they, in their sole and unfettered discretion, may see
fit," to get a local Liberal candidate in place.
Liberals not pushing for election, spokesperson says

As of today, the party has nominated just 162 candidates out of the
possible 338 ridings, which means there are many more candidates to recruit
and nominate in the months ahead of a possible fall election.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the party, Braeden Caley, said the
"electoral urgency" clause is a "longstanding administrative measure in our
party's processes that gives the ability to shift timelines and procedures
in the national nomination rules to nominate more candidates, more quickly
in the months ahead."

Caley said the party is not pushing for an election but rather preparing
for the possibility that the minority government could fall at any time.

"The Liberal team remains resolutely focused on doing everything it takes
to keep Canadians safe and supported — and that will continue to be the
case," he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has repeatedly said "nobody wants an election
before the end of this pandemic."

While the party has fewer than half of its 338 possible candidates
nominated so far, Caley said the party is routinely "approached by a whole
host of talented community leaders interested in running as Liberal
candidates."

Caley said the party is committed to recruiting candidates "from
traditionally unrepresented perspectives and communities," including LGBT,
women, Black, Indigenous, and people of colour candidates.
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