It's on: Race for NDP leadership gears up in Manitoba

Theresa Oswald got big applause from the crowd at the New Democratic Party (NDP) leadershipconvention on Friday after saying she is in favour of Manitoba schools teaching students about sexual consent.

Steve Ashtontook the mic for the first time and announced his support for pressuring the federal government to provide a national childcare program, giving a big, hearty 'yeah!'

And Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger saidin spite of the high-profile cabinet minister revolt against his leadership, he "never thought of stepping down."

That is onlythe beginning:On Saturday, members of theNDPare one day away from selecting a new leader for the province.

Why is there anNDP leadership race?

The race for the NDP leadership is partly the product of a nearly two-year-old plan to increase Manitoba's provincial sales tax (PST) by one per cent. Provincial officials introduced that plan when they revealed the budget on April 16, 2013.

Less than three months later on July 1, Manitobans started paying eight per cent PST.

• Manitoba to hike PST to 8%

In November2014, five cabinet ministers led a revolt against premier Greg Selinger, demanding he step down.

• Manitoba revolt: 5 ministers resign from Premier Greg Selinger'scabinet

Selinger refused, but proposed a leadership vote at the party's annual spring convention, and in the months leading up to it, the increasedsales tax became a focal point in the campaigns of all three candidates.

• Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger will face party leadership vote in March

Theresa Oswald, who was the first to announce her intention to run for the NDP leadership on Dec. 19, 2014 made her first campaign promise to create a PST rebate for low-income families.

Oswald said the impact on low-income families wasnt considered when the PST hike was announced in 2013.

Most provinces that introduced tax increases in recent years did offer a low-income rebate of some kind, but Manitoba did not and I think we need to fix that, she said.

• Theresa Oswald promises PST rebate if chosen to lead NDP
• Timeline: A look at NDP leadership candidate Theresa Oswald's political career
• Oswald goes from rising star in caucus to leader of NDP revolt

Oswald was one of the five cabinet ministers who launched therevolt againstSelinger's leadership.

She officially announced her intention to run for the NDP leadership on Dec. 19, 2014.

"I offer renewal," she told reporters after registering as a candidate for the race.

Then-Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Steve Ashton followed, stepping down and signing up to run for the NDP leadership on Dec. 22, 2014.

Ashton announced his intention to run via Twitter.

The next day, hemade his first campaign promise: a referendum on the PST hike.

He told a room full of supporters that while he aprroved of the increase, it was a mistake for the province to move ahead without first consulting with Manitobans.

"I've talked to hundreds...who said you should have come to us first," he said.

• Ashton vows to hold referendum on PST if chosen to lead NDP
• After 34 years in legislature, Ashton hopes to become premier

Selinger waslastto enter the race for his own job. On Jan. 2 he declared his candidacy and defended the PST hike he had overseen more thana year and a half earlier.

• Selinger defends PST increase, enters Manitoba NDP leadership race
• Premier Selinger took political dynasty to bottom of the polls

By February, Ashton was leading the race when it came toconstituency delegates. He had482, but Selinger was not far behind with 415.

Oswald had the most support from Manitoba Young New Democrats (MYND), but the least from unions.

• Interactive: Whos won delegates in the Manitoba NDP leadership race?

What actually happens at the NDP leadership convention?

At the NDP leadership convention, an annual event, 2,217 delegates from across Manitoba are expected to show up and vote.

Thatvote is scheduledin two ballots; the first at 10:30 a.m., the second at 12:30 p.m. The winner is expected to be announced at 1:45 p.m.

Sundays winner will take the ManitobaNDPinto the next provincial election, which is scheduled for April 19, 2016.

CBC will provide frequent updates on whats happening, and you can watch it unfold via our live stream, which will be available right here on the CBC Manitoba website.

CBC legislative reporter Chris Glover will provide up-to-the-minute coverage of the event, along with Information Radios Marcy Markusa.

Well keep you posted with a live blog, tweets and photographs.

Keep us posted, too

What questions do you have for Oswald, Ashton and Selinger?

Leave them in the comment section and CBC reporters will get answers for as many as possible at the NDP leadership convention on Sunday.

You can also reach us with questions or comments on Twitter (we are at@CBCManitoba).