The federal Liberal party concluded its three-day policy convention in Ottawa on Saturday, embracing ideas for the expansion of affordable housing, building high-speed rail between Ontario and Quebec, and implementing a basic guaranteed income. However, they rejected the ideas of campaigning on a promise to balance the budget or making voting mandatory. The convention was seen as an opportunity for many Liberals to re-energize as they move into pre-campaign mode ahead of the next election. There are 24 new policies guiding the party, but none of them are binding on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau reiterated in his keynote address on Thursday that he fully intends to lead the Liberals into the next campaign. The convention succeeded in regrouping and recharging after a difficult few years, and it also left no doubt that Trudeau is the centre of the party. Nonetheless, some Liberals saw that the list of potential candidates who will one day replace him is getting more clear. The convention was attendance by some key ministers seen as possible front runners, such as Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand.