SCOOP: Grits pitch new leadership committee, grassroots slam lack of diversity

Also: Housing bill fine print, Hunter's parting shot (and NES swoops in), committee shuffle, courtroom countdown, Sol does Snoop, special retirement, long weekend birthdays and much more

ABOVE THE FOLD

First in Observer — Meet the new Liberal leadership committee, mostly the same as the old Liberal leadership committee.

Behind the scenes, party brass have been laying the groundwork for the upcoming leadership contest. But before they get into the nitty-gritty — such as timelines and rules of entry — they’re setting up a new leadership vote committee.

What it’s for: Creating the new committee was a decision that came out of the party’s annual general meeting earlier this year. It’s designed with the grassroots in mind, and would work with the newly elected executive council to map out the leadership contest. That includes being “consulted” on the rules and to “jointly appoint, with the executive council, the Chief Returning Officer for the leadership process.” Riding associations would also have to be consulted on the new committee’s makeup.

Marathon meeting: At their first formal meeting this week — a four-hour virtual affair — the executive council pitched the membe…