Liberal Leader Paul Martin pauses during his speech in Montreal Monday night.

Liberal Leader Paul Martin is cheered by his wife Sheila as he takes the stage in Montreal. (CP / Fred Chartrand) Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew supporter Mamun Smg sits at the Liberal cabinet minister's riding office in Montreal on Monday. (CP / Ian Barrett)

Martin says he won't lead party in next election

Updated Tue. Jan. 24 2006 6:08 AM ET

Michael Stittle, CTV.ca News

Paul Martin announced he will step down as leader of the Liberal Party, following a defeat by the Conservatives that saw his party lose an estimated 37 seats.

"I will continue to represent with pride the people of LaSalle-Emard, but I will not take our party into another election as leader," he told his constituents in Montreal.

"In the coming days, I will consult with caucus. In the coming days, I will consult with the party leadership as to how best ensure an orderly transition and an effective leadership in the House of Commons and the party. My dedication to the Liberal family will never wane. I have always been at the service of our party today, tomorrow and always."

He added that by stepping down his party will be able to renew itself, and that "there will be another chance and there will be another time" to defeat the Conservatives.

And in a touching moment, Martin also spoke about his love for his wife Sheila, who he said "can call me Paul again."

Some of Martin's aides were still hopeful he would change his mind, citing Pierre Trudeau's return to lead a suprise election in 1980, just months after announcing his retirement.

Many of Martin's close friends within the Liberal Party lost their seats in the election, including those who stuck by him as he fought Jean Chretien for control of the party.

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan lost her Edmonton Centre riding in Alberta, after several closely-fought victories that earned her the nickname "Landslide Annie."

In Quebec, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew lost to Bloc candidate Vivian Barbot.

Liberal winner Keith Martin, who was re-elected in B.C.'s Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca riding, told The Canadian Press that he was saddened by his leader's resignation, but that the Liberal Party must move forward.

"We have to find a new leader,'' he told The Canadian Press. "We'll see who comes up through the ranks."

Hedy Fry, re-elected in Vancouver Centre, said she would miss Martin's guidance.

"I think he had a vision for this country, I think he had the ability to make us what we could be. I'm very sorry that he decided not to stay," she said.

Martin, 67, was born in Windsor, Ont. He studied law at the University of Toronto, and later bought Canada Steamship Lines. He gave control of the company to his three sons in 2003.

He first came to Parliament as an MP in 1988, but lost the Liberal leadership race to Jean Chrétien two years later. It was not until 2003 that he won the leadership, after Chretien stepped down.

"I am so grateful to the Liberals across this great land who gave me the chance to be prime minister," Martin told his supporters Monday night.

"Let me tell you the one thing that we Liberals have always understood: it is a great privilege to serve Canada."

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