Jean Chrétien Paul Martin The Liberal Party of Canada held a leadership election on November 14, 2003, electing former finance minister Paul Martin as the party's new leader, replacing outgoing leader (and prime minister) Jean Chrétien.

Because of Martin's apparent strength, several prominent candidates, such as Allan Rock, and Brian Tobin, did not go beyond the formative stages.

Martin's only serious challengers were John Manley and Sheila Copps, the former of whom withdrew before delegate selection began.

Martin's initial tactics to secure the leadership were generally seen, in retrospect, as weakening his eventual tenure as prime minister.

The combination of his leadership ambitions and Jean Chrétien's slim win during the 1997 election led to a period of infighting within the party, resulting in Martin leaving cabinet in June 2002, and Chrétien, in the face of a leadership review, announcing his intention to step down February 2004.