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DARTMOUTH, N.S. - Nova Scotia Liberal leadership hopefuls touted the party as being ready to govern again on Friday, with the only female candidate in the race dismissing suggestions the province isn't ready for a woman premier.

As a member of the legislature, Diana Whalen is one of the better known of the four candidates running for the leadership of the third-place party.

Leading off the candidates' speeches to about 1,400 delegates at the Liberal convention Friday night, Whalen attacked Premier Rodney MacDonald's leadership and confronted those who question whether a woman can win.

"They say Nova Scotians will never elect a woman premier," said Whalen, 51, who was first elected in 2003 in the suburban riding of Halifax-Clayton Park. "Well, you and I will prove them wrong."

Whalen's caucus colleague Stephen McNeil had the largest demonstration as supporters flooded the floor blowing horns and wearing neon-yellow shirts with red lettering that read: "It's About You."

He chose to outline his vision for the province, saying Liberals understand the challenges facing Nova Scotia in the 21st century.

"We can meet those challenges because, unlike the other parties, we are able to embrace new ideas with the freedom of an open mind," said McNeil, 42, who has represented Annapolis in the house since 2003.

"As I've said from the beginning, this leadership contest is about you, the heart of our party. You pick your leader. You decide the future of our party. And tomorrow, after that important job is done, you and I will get right back to work.

"Our message, our purpose, must speak to every Nova Scotian who cares about this place and the future of its people."

Colchester Mayor Mike Smith followed Whalen, with about 200 supporters leading him to the stage under a banner that said: "Let's get this party started."

Also running in the race to be settled on Saturday is Halifax lawyer Kenzie MacKinnon.

Like Whalen, Smith said the Liberals are on the right track after eight years outside of government.

"Let it be said ... that on this night, the Liberal party found its way again," he said. "Let it be said that there was a spark on the convention floor that led to a flame of renewal this weekend."

Smith, 42, also directly addressed what might be perceived as weaknesses of his candidacy.

As a mayor, he said he has developed the skills to lead and he vowed to tackle the NDP in the party's Halifax stronghold, despite being from rural Nova Scotia.

"We need to break through in Halifax," he added. "When we show Nova Scotians that we understand the issues that are important, my civic address will not matter. I will never concede the Metro (Halifax) vote to the NDP."

As the candidate believed to be facing the longest odds on Saturday, MacKinnon told the convention that being outside the Liberal caucus in the legislature shouldn't be seen as a handicap in the contest.

"Do not settle on an easy choice, voting for someone just because he or she is in caucus," he said in a reference to Whalen and McNeil.

He noted that the Conservatives elected MacDonald from within their caucus ranks last year and are now languishing in the polls.

"If being in caucus is the test, then the Tories made the right leadership choice last year," said MacKinnon, 53. "Do you really believe that they believe that?"

Whalen said MacDonald's minority Conservative government has failed to protect the province in negotiations with the federal government on a new equalization formula, putting the province's accord on offshore oil revenues at risk.

She accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Peter MacKay, the cabinet minister responsible for Nova Scotia, of betraying the province, while saying MacDonald failed to stand up to the federal Tories as Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams has done.

"Rodney fiddled while Stephen Harper and Peter MacKay betrayed their promises and scrapped to the Atlantic Accord," she said. "A billion dollars down the drain. It's a sad day in the history of this province when we have to rely on the premier of Newfoundland to defend our interests."

The Liberal party's fortunes have been in decline in Nova Scotia since the minority government of Russell MacLellan was defeated in 1999.

But Whalen claimed the party is ready to the turn the page.

"Tonight we gather to reaffirm our values, to renew our party, and to let Nova Scotians know that the Liberals are back in the game," she said.

Some observers believe the race will boil down to either McNeil or Whalen on Saturday because of their higher profile as members of the Liberal caucus.

Uncommitted delegate Sandra Alexander of Mahone Bay said she's looking forward to meeting the candidates one-on-one before making up her mind.

"I want to get someone who can win for the party, who can be premier and can speak up for Nova Scotia," she said.

The Liberals are choosing their third leader in five years after the resignation of Francis MacKenzie after last June's provincial election when he failed to win a seat in the house.

The party won nine seats in that election and received 23 per cent of the votes -- a record low.

Michel Samson was appointed interim leader after MacKenzie stepped down.

The Liberals opted for a slate of voting delegates from each riding instead of the one-member, one-vote system favoured in the past. The delegates aren't tied to a particular candidate, which virtually assures some form of drama on Saturday.