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Justin Trudeaus policy of open nominations and free votes is proving to be more complicated than it originally appeared.

The Liberal Leader laid out his plan in last years leadership race, but it is eliciting criticism inside and outside the party as it is put in place. In party nominations across the country, it is becoming clear there are exceptions to the open nature of the races, and that not all votes will be free after the next election.

One Liberal, Christine Innes, was blocked from running in a by-election in Trinity-Spadina over alleged bullying tactics by her team. Ms. Innes has filed a defamation lawsuit against party officials. Some past leadership candidates worry they could be shut out over the partys decision to bar anyone who has outstanding debt from leadership races and now would-be candidates have to say that they would vote in favour of abortion rights in Parliament.

Daniel Gagnier, the partys national campaign co-chair, said open nominations do not refer to a process in which anyone has a shot at becoming a Liberal candidate. Rather, he said, it is a break with the era in which leaders appointed candidates in selected ridings.

It means that we dont parachute candidates into ridings, and that all candidates start off from the same point, he said in an interview.

He added that the Liberal Party plans to hold more free votes in the House of Commons, but acknowledged a few exceptions, including items in the party platform, money bills and matters dealing with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Mr. Trudeau announced this week that, based on those principles, would-be candidates must agree to vote in favour of abortion rights if they become MPs. Liberal officials added that candidates would also be expected to follow the Liberal Partys policy in favour of assisted suicide, depending on an upcoming ruling on the matter by the Supreme Court of Canada.

Earlier this year, Mr. Trudeau said the party will not allow past leadership contenders to be candidates in 2015 if they have not yet paid off their debts from those campaigns. The matter prompted an outcry from David Bertschi, a lawyer who ran against Mr. Trudeau in last years leadership race, and wants to be the Liberal candidate in Ottawa-Orlans.

Some Liberals think Mr. Bertschi faces an uphill battle against his main rival, retired lieutenant-general Andrew Leslie, who is a key adviser to Mr. Trudeau on defence and security matters.

Party officials said Mr. Trudeau has given himself the right to have preferences for some candidacies as he builds his team, although all would-be candidates will be playing by the same rules. Mr. Gagnier said Liberal hopefuls should start planning their nomination campaigns immediately.

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Liberals open nominations, free votes are tricky