John Turner Jean Chrétien The Liberal Party of Canada held a leadership election on 23 June 1990 at the Olympic Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.

While the Liberals had led the polls for much of the campaign, their lead ultimately faltered after the Tories relentlessly attacked Turner's personal credibility in the closing weeks.

[1] In May 1989, with the Liberals still only about level with the Tories in the polls despite the increasing unpopularity of Brian Mulroney's government, and remaining far behind in their former stronghold of Quebec (where they had lost even further ground at the previous year's election, despite otherwise improving their vote share across the country), Turner announced his intention to stand down as party leader the following year, once a new leadership election had taken place.

Paul Martin, 51, MP for LaSalle—Émard, Quebec since 1988 and was the Opposition Critic for Treasury Board, Housing, and Urban Affairs; former president and CEO of Canada Steamship Lines.

(Sources used: "30 MPs endorse Chrétien", Toronto Star, 24 January 1990; Shelley Page, "Liberal MPs jockey for favor with new boss over leadership", Toronto Star, 22 May 1990; Geoff Pounsett, "Missing Meech deadline won't kill Canada: Chrétien", Kingston Whig-Standard, 28 May 1990, p. 2; Ross Howard, "Liberal candidates fight over Meech Chrétien scolded by Martin, Copps ", Globe and Mail, 21 June 1990, A1; David Vienneau, "Martin says he'll run again", Toronto Star, 25 June 1990.)