Paul Martin flung himself into his new job as Liberal leader by telling MPs he won't guarantee their nominations, meaning the party grassroots can decide to turf existing representatives.
It was an immediate example of Mr. Martin's plan to transfer power down the party ladder in the hope of reversing what he calls the "democratic deficit" of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's leadership.
The announcement was one of many he made during his frantic first day as Liberal leader on Saturday.
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien joins newly elected Liberal Leader Paul Martin in celebration on stage in Toronto.
He said MPs will have to fight to represent the party in next year's election and expressed hope his move would result in more women entering Parliament.
"I really do believe that open nomination meetings are the best way to go," Mr. Martin said in his first news conference as leader.
"Absolutely we have got to increase the number of women who not only run but who win in successful election campaigns.
"And I will do what is required in order to see that happen."
Mr. Martin is clearly setting his sights on an election next spring.
He meets with Mr. Chrétien on Tuesday to discuss a transition timetable and was asked whether he would be ready to start governing the next morning.
"The simple answer is 'Yes,'" Mr. Martin replied. "We're certainly ready to take power the moment the Prime Minister decides it's time to do it. If it's Tuesday, it's Tuesday. If it's later, it's later."
Mr. Martin isn't even waiting to become prime minister to hold his first premiers' conference.
He will have an informal sit-down with the premiers Sunday before taking in the Grey Cup championship football game in Regina, setting that meeting as his first priority in signalling an era of improved co-operation with the provinces.
The prime minister-in-waiting also made a flurry of political appointments, naming three longtime loyalists as co-chairs for the party's election campaign next spring.
David Herle and John Webster, who were both instrumental organizers in his 1990 leadership bid, will be national co-chairs along with Quebec City MP Helene Scherrer.
And he appointed several caucus members to head a committee that will make recommendations to reform Parliament and give individual MPs more power.
That last move represents his greatest hope for reforming Canadian democracy to make the Prime Minister's Office less authoritative.
In yet another move, Mr. Martin has given caucus the go-ahead to plan an anticipated three-day meeting to work out details of the policy-setting Throne Speech he will deliver to Parliament.
Acknowledging recent tensions with the United States, Mr. Marin said Canada must be more "sophisticated" in its dealings with Washington.
He said it is important for Canada to participate in discussions on the Bush administration's missile defence program.
"We're talking about the defence of North America," he said. "Canada has to be at the table."
Mr. Martin got a standing ovation from Liberals who clapped and chanted his name as he strode to the stage in his first meeting with MPs on becoming leader.
"I used to sit in the back of the room — where it was easier," he joked from a podium at the front of a hotel ballroom.
"Last night was spectacular," he said of Friday's celebration where he was crowned Liberal leader. "We're going to do it again in the next election — that's what this is all about."
One caucus member called the mood at the meeting "electric" for a party long torn by leadership infighting.
"We have now put behind us the squabbles," said caucus chairman Stan Keyes.
"I think the caucus is very overwhelmingly welcoming the opportunity to sit down and work together collectively without squabble, without division."
Mr. Martin won almost 94 per cent of the vote in Liberal leadership results announced Friday. He is expected to replace Jean Chrétien as prime minister within weeks.
