Dougald Lamont is the new leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party.

The 48-year-old businessman, father and University of Winnipeg lecturer clinched the leadership on the second ballot. This is his second time running for the leadership of the party. He finished second behind Rana Bokhari in 2013.

"I'm so honoured right now. I’m so appreciative of your confidence and your support," Lamont told Liberals shortly after news of his win.

Lamont said his top three issues are growing public sector jobs, health care reform, and reducing the number of Manitoba children in care. He said he’s confident the Liberals can form government.

"In 2016, I don't think people really voted enthusiastically for Brian Pallister. I mean lots of people voted for him, but people really wanted to get rid of the NDP. But I think now people have buyer’s remorse," he said.

Lamont doesn't have a seat in the Manitoba Legislature. He lives in Fort Rouge and said he doesn’t know where he’ll run just yet. Lamont said he plans to win a seat in a by-election before the next general election in 2020.

8 votes between Lamont and Lamoureux

It was a tight race in the end. Lamont received 296 votes on the second ballot, just eight more than his rival Cindy Lamoureux, 25, who received 288 votes, after emerging as the front runner on the first ballot, with 41 per cent of the vote.

Lamoureux is the MLA for Burrows, is the daughter of long-time MLA and MP Kevin Lamoureux and was the perceived front-runner.

Candidate and former Liberal leader Jon Gerrard, 69, bowed out after the first round of voting after receiving 26 per cent of the vote, and asked his supporter to vote for Lamoureux instead. Lamont had 34 per cent going into the second round of voting.

Candidates require 50 per cent of the vote plus one person to win the leadership on the first ballot. Jon Gerrard received 230 votes, Dougald Lamont received 301 votes, and Cindy Lamoureux received 363 votes.

On the second ballot, which ever candidate has the most votes, wins.

Delays and complaints at the convention

Liberal Members gathered at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg to listen to pitches and cast their vote on Saturday.

As the leadership race got underway, a long line of people waited outside the room and stretched through the hotel to register and vote.

"Overwhelming response," Manitoba Liberal Party President Paul Brault told reporters Saturday afternoon.

Brault said the party planned for 900 people to attend the convention, but around 1200 attended.

"We're behind," he said Saturday afternoon.

Brault said the day started off with the unexpected challenge of a technical software glitch, which made it hard to pull up a list.

"We had to shut down the registration system," he said.

Brault said they used a combination of a computer and paper systems to register attendees and it is verify names on a paper.

Brault said registration has been pushed back to 3:30 p.m., extended two hours from the initial 1:30 p.m. registration deadline to accommodate everyone.

Contest organizer, Tim Horn told CTV News events ran about 90 minutes behind.

Liberal leadership co-chair Wendy Martin White told CTV News there were complaints about people being turned away from registration, but it's not clear if people were in fact turned away.

She said there was a desk set up to deal with people experiencing problems with their memberships.

Results of the first ballot were reveled around 6 p.m.. Final results were revealed around 9 p.m.

Candidate Speeches

Lamoureux, Lamont and Gerrard are each planned to speak to members for 20 minutes, but proceedings at the convention were delayed throughout the day.

Lamont focused a good portion of time at the podium talking about the economy and the economic well-being of Manitobans.

"We have the potential to turn things around so that as our economy grows, it grows for everyone, and that's a progressive vision, that's a democratic vision. That's our vision," he said.

"Together we will build a diverse team of people and be a party that welcomes and values everyone," Lamoureux said during her speech.

She spoke about her background growing up in politics, and pitched ideas on how to grow the party and to serve all Manitobans.

Gerrard promoted himself as the well-known choice with credibility.

"I have the experience, knowledge and energy to lead out Manitoba liberal and I am ready now," he said.

The Liberals more than double their seats during the last provincial election. They occupy three seats in the Manitoba Legislature out of a total of 57 seats.

The 42nd general election will take place October 6, 2020.