NDP may forgo leadership convention for new approach

The New Democrats are thinking of trying something completely different in choosing a new leader.

The party is looking at forgoing a traditional leadership convention in favour of a series of smaller-scale events over the course of a month.

The NDP executive is recommending a new leader be chosen some time between Oct. 1st and Oct. 31 of 2017, with rounds of voting through a preferential, ranked ballot taking place about once a week until a candidate hits the 50 per cent plus one mark to be declared the winner.

The proposed rules are still subject to change as they have not yet been debated or adopted by the NDP's federal council.

Those seeking to throw their hat into the ring would have to shell out $30,000 and would have to register by July 3, 2017.

They would also need 500 signatures from registered party members in different regions of Canada.

At least half of them must be from women, and at least 100 signatures must also come from Aboriginal people, visible minorities, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community.