Article content continued

Photo by Darren Brown / Ottawa Citizen

At a news conference afterwards, the retired general criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper, saying he believes next year’s campaign will offer Canadians a clear choice.

“I think underlying most of it is that Canadians are growing tired and increasingly frustrated with the secretive, vindictive and vote-targeting policies of the Conservative government.”

“And I think the desire for change will leave more and more people to consider other alternatives.”

Leslie said the Liberals are now developing a policy platform for the campaign that will be “fully-costed and researched.”

“We have a superb leader in Mr. Trudeau,” he said.

“I think his spirit of transparency, his willingness to embrace new ideas, and his abilities to make the hard calls will set the country in good stead.”

However, not all the Liberals in the room Saturday evening were pleased with the party’s decision to disqualify Bertschi — a decision that was officially confirmed by Trudeau himself.

“Shame, shame, shame,” some Liberals chanted as it became clear Leslie was about to be acclaimed without a fight from his rival.

Leslie offered to meet with anyone to discuss their concerns.

“Today, we are a team, we are a family. Yes, there has been some tensions in the family. This is natural. It’s actually healthy. It shows that there is passion, there is fire.”

Bertschi ran for the Liberals in the riding in 2011, losing to Galipeau, and also ran for the leadership contest won by Trudeau in 2013.