Toronto

Liberals begin process to pick interim leader to replace Kathleen Wynne

An interim leader is selected by a vote of the party caucus, the presidents of riding associations without an elected Liberal legislator and party executive members.

Wynne resigned after the party suffered the worst election defeat in its history on June 7

Once a vote is called, those eligible have 24 hours to cast a ballot, the Ontario Liberal party president says. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

The Ontario Liberal Party has begun the process of selecting an interim leader following Kathleen Wynne's resignation last week.

Party president Brian Johns said Tuesday in a statement he has informed the party executive that an interim leader will be selected within the coming days but does not say anything further about the timeline.

An interim leader is selected by a vote of the party caucus, the presidents of riding associations without an elected Liberal legislator and party executive members.

Johns says once the vote is called those eligible have 24 hours to cast a ballot with a winner decided by a simple plurality. 

Johns says more information about candidates for the interim leadership will be made available in the coming days.

Wynne's resignation came after the party suffered the worst election defeat in its history, reduced to seven seats in the provincial legislature — one shy of attaining official party status.