New Liberal Leader Stephane Dion used phrases like "far right" and "neo-conservative ideology" while attacking the Conservatives in his first question period appearance as opposition leader.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper responded by congratulating Dion on his victory. He noted that he had also lived at Stornoway, the official residence for opposition leaders.

"I hope he enjoys Stornoway and I hope he's happy there for a long time," he said Monday to roars of laughter from his Conservative caucus.

Dion asked about cuts to offices in the Status of Women agency, cutting the court challenges program and changing how judges are appointed.

"It is because of the far-right attidude of this party?" he asked. In another question, Dion referred to the government's "neo-conservative ideology."

Harper said when his government re-allocates money, "it does so to make it more effective for ordinary people, not to flow it into party coffers."

There must be full public consultation on the appointment of judges, including the police, he said.

"I understand that the Liberal party would only want to consult lawyers and criminals but we believe that the judicial system must represent everyone," Harper said.

Dion said the Tories were confusing the role of the judiciary and police. Nor did the Liberals see an re-allocation of resources.

On same-sex marriage, he accused Harper of trying to cherry-pick rights by re-opening the issue. "Why does he want to be the first prime minister in Canadian history to over-ride the Charter?" he asked.

"We promised Canadians a genuinely free vote on this issue in the House of Commons," Harper said.

"I know the new leader of the opposition has said he will not allow a free vote of his caucus members. I hope that proves not to be the case, because the rights of members of Parliament are some of the most important rights we have."

After question period, Dion told reporters his new seating plan (leadership runner-up Michael Ignatieff has been moved to the front bench) was designed to showcase the party's unity.

He said he will discuss the same-sex vote with his caucus. "But I have been clear many times. It's respect of the Charter of Rights. ...

"This is something that should concern Canadians, and it's something that concerns me a lot," Dion said.

Parliament passed Bill C-38 last year, giving same-sex couples the legal right to marry.

First caucus meeting

When he exited his first caucus meeting as federal Liberal leader earlier on Monday, Dion said he wanted to develop a new strategy for Afghanistan.

"What we are doing now is not working," Dion said.

He added that he was interested in proposing a multi-nation approach comparable to the Marshall Plan, the U.S. strategy for rebuilding the allied countries of Europe and repelling communism after the Second World War.

This plan would focus on eradicating illicit crops that provided funding for warlords, Dion said.

"We are in a very, very difficult situation so we will try to propose to the government an approach that will make sense," Dion said.

Dion hinted he would be calling upon Gerard Kennedy, the former Ontario cabinet minister who helped the Quebec MP win by shifting his support behind him.

When asked what that role would be, Dion declined comment.

"I want him to work for me as much as possible and for the party because Gerard has so much to offer," he said.

Dion said that he expected to make an announcement once he came up with "something specific for Gerard" but he added that "I cannot tell you now."

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In an interview on CTV's Canada AM that aired on Monday morning, Kennedy indicated that he, too, had been invited to the caucus meeting.

"I have offered my help to Mr. Dion in terms of giving him advice and counsel and any other assistance he needs."

Kennedy has vowed to run for Parliament in the next election.

Before he entered the caucus meeting on Monday morning, a revved up Dion told voters they will have an important choice to make soon.

"I'm not sure if it's proper to say I am saying to you, or telling you, that we need to win the next election for the sake of... Canadians," said Dion, who spoke primarily in English as he sought to rally his troops before the caucus meeting.

But he expressed certainty on another point.

"One thing is sure, Canadians will have to choose between two clear visions of the path that our country must take at the beginning of this century," said Dion.

He told voters they have the choice of picking between the Conservatives' right-wing agenda or the Liberals' social conscience.

Dion was surrounded by his leadership rivals as he received a standing ovation before entering the meeting on Parliament Hill.

Charest on Dion

Meanwhile, Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he will court Quebecers to get their support in the next election.

Charest cast off criticism Dion will have difficulty winning seats in the province, saying Quebecers are interested in issues such as the environment which Dion is championing.

But Charest said he hoped Dion would keep an open mind on the issue of the fiscal imbalance, although he noted the federal Liberals were reluctant to recognize its existence.

Dion is the architect of the Clarity Act, which sets out the ground rules for a sovereignty referendum.

Dion is riding high off the heels of a new poll, conducted by the Strategic Counsel for CTV and The Globe and Mail, that shows he has the initial stamp of approval from the Canadian public.

The poll found that 55 per cent of Canadians consider Dion to be a good choice for leader.

"I know Mr. Dion suffers no illusions that it will take more than a good-will bump in the polls to do what has to be done," said Kennedy.

"I think Canadians look to that. They look to something of substance but they're very fair-minded."

While observers feel an election could come as early as spring, Dion said Sunday that the timing had to be right.

"I don't want to rush to an election. I want to be ready for an election," Dion told reporters when asked if he'd bring the Conservatives down over the next budget -- expected early next year.

"I know that this government (will have) a lot of difficulty to go through its neo-conservative agenda."