Liberal Party moving quickly to find Ghiz successor

The Liberal party of P.E.I is moving quickly to determine a successor to Premier Robert Ghiz after he announced his resignation Thursday.

A convention will be held early in the new year, party president Ewan Clark says.

• P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz announces resignation
• Ghiz's resignation 'utter shock' to close political allies

It's in everyone's best interest the party move forward without delay, he says.

"I think that's only fair to the premier on a personal level, only fair to the government and the caucus with him, in terms of a mandate and a process going forward, and only fair to Islanders that they know where the leader of the Liberal party and the Premier of the province is going to be, and what's the mandate moving forward," said Clark.

When the Liberals selected Robert Ghiz as their leader in 2003, the party had only one seat in the legislature — Ron MacKinley's.

We'll turn the page a little later on.- Finance Minister, Wes Sheridan

Clark says things are much different now, and that will have an effect on the leadership selection process.

He says he believes there are members of the Liberal caucus interested in the job, but he's not naming names.

No odds-on favourite, says Ghiz

Clark says no one has stepped forward publicly before now, but he wouldn't be surprised to learn some discussions had already taken place behind the scenes.

Some of the individuals being floated to run for the leadership include key cabinet ministers, Finance Minister Wes Sheridan being one of them.

"He's been our leader. He's been my friend and someone that I've followed through all of this. And I told him from the very beginning that I would stay until he stayed," said Sheridan. "At this point, we have to re-gauge and think about all of it and we'll turn the page a little later on."

CBC News asked Health Minister Doug Currie Thursday whether he will consider putting his name forward.

"That's a big decision. And really, today is not about the next leader, it's about our premier's decision to exit public life and to move on and, certainly, I want to respect that. And I'm sure there will be lots of opportunity to share my thoughts and views on that," said Currie.

Meanwhile, Ghiz, appearing on CBC P.E.I.'s Island Morning, said there are no odds-on favourites to fill his shoes. He also explained why he told his caucus about his decision at the same time, just prior to his official announcement Thursday.

"I didn't want to give anyone an unfair advantage over someone else in caucus that they could be running, so they start lining up supporters early, and then rumours start. I wanted to keep it fair and regardless whether they were in cabinet or not, everyone found out at the same time."

'Strong leadership'

Meanwhile, accolades for Ghiz have continued to pour in.

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau issued a statement on the resignation of Premier Robert Ghiz, saying that he "served the people of Prince Edward Island with the utmost distinction, both as an MLA and as premier."

Trudeau also said, Islanders have "benefited from Ghiz's strong leadership" and that "he brought a respected and progressive voice to many of our country's most pressing needs, whether on economic growth, education, or retirement security."

New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant called Ghiz a colleague and friend.

"Under his leadership, the government of Prince Edward Island made significant achievements in education, health care and job growth. This is a legacy of which he and all islanders can be proud."

Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea says she worked with Ghiz on many issues and "on behalf of Islanders wishes him all the best in the future."

Chief Matilda Ramjattan of Lennox Island First Nation, in a statement issued by the The Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI said, "Never before have there been such true government-to-government relations between the government of P.E.I. and those of the Island's Mi'kmaq people. What we have seen in the past seven years is a monumental step forward in the development of a true partnership."

Even Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent a tweet on Ghiz's announcement.