Dion slams Harper for 'broken promise' on election

Stephane Dion says he is eager to identify himself during this election campaign and break away from the distorted image Conservatives have focused on creating.

Mike Duffy Live: Liberal Leader Stephane Dion

Stephane Dion said he thinks it is unacceptable that Stephen Harper triggered an election by going against his own law and urged Canadians to make it his last gesture as prime minister.

Mike Duffy Live: Liberal Leader Stephane Dion holds a rally in Ottawa, part two

As well as going after Stephen Harper during a campaign rally in Ottawa, Stephane Dion also went after NDP leader Jack Layton.

Mike Duffy Live: Roger Smith covers Stephane Dion's speech and campaign

At one of his first campaign stops, Stephane Dion seemed geared up and energized, but he still still faces the challenge of getting his message across to Canadians.

CTV Newsnet: Liberal candidate Keith Martin and NDP candidate Paul Dewar

Candidates with foreign policy experience discuss their vision for Canada's role in the world and also comment on how their leaders did on the first day of campaigning.

Mike Duffy Live: Conservative strategist Tim Powers, Liberal strategist Sheila Copps and NDP strategist Brad Lavigne

Party stragegists debate the qualification of the party leaders and discuss the party platforms, including the environment, women in politics and government spending.

CTV Newsnet: NDP strategist Brad Lavigne and Liberal strategist Susan Smith

NDP Leader Jack Layton is going to put 'issues of the kitchen table above that of the boardroom table' during the election, while Liberal Leader has a plan that will blend the 'importance of the ecomony and economic management, and the environment.'

CTV News Special Report: Dion speaks from Ottawa

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion makes comments to the media, saying Harper's Conservatives are leaving Canadians to 'fend for themselves.'

CTV News Special Report: Liberal Leader Stephane Dion answers questions from reporters

Liberal Leader answers questions about his underdog status, as well as how he plans to improve public opinion of his 'green shift' plan.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Sun. Sep. 7 2008 7:51 PM ET

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has fired off the first official jabs at his counterparts in the federal election, including a message to voters that Stephen Harper is not to be trusted.

Dion said that by announcing the election campaign Sunday, Harper broke his word to Canadians that they would not head to the polls until 2009.

"His last gesture (as prime minister) was a broken promise, and we don't want anymore," Dion told supporters in Ottawa. "We cannot trust this man; it's as simple as that."

Dion also sounded off on the leader of the NDP, Jack Layton. He chastised Layton for echoing the message of "change" made popular by U.S. presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama in Layton's opening campaign speech.

"Jack Layton for some strange reason thinks he is Barack Obama," Dion told a crowd of cheering Liberal supporters. "No Jack, you're Jack Layton."

For all the tough-talk Dion fired off at the other leaders, he is among the least experienced of the bunch -- Harper, Layton and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe have all led federal campaigns.

Almost since Dion won the Liberals leadership in December 2006, the Conservatives have attempted to brand the former university professor and cabinet minister as weak and indecisive. The current stock Tory phrase is "not worth the risk."

Dion, who finished fourth on the first ballot of the Liberal leadership convention, tried to paint his reputation as a strength.

"I love it," he said. "I love being the underdog. I love being underestimated, but don't say so, because then I will stop being underestimated."

Canadians will get a chance to know him over the 37 days of the campaign, Dion said, adding, "(Harper) created an expectation so low that I will surprise Canadians."

Carbon tax

Besides attacking Dion's leadership, the Tories have also blasted the so-called Green Shift, which they have tried to paint as a "tax on everything."

Dion said the plan, which he said would shift taxes from income onto pollution, "is a great plan for Canada."

Other governments around the world have introduced carbon taxes, and those that have done so haven't switched back, he said. Even British Conservative Leader David Cameron supports the idea so long as the revenue is balanced by cuts in other taxes, he said.

"Go see TheGreenShift.ca and see what it represents for your family," Dion said, portraying the plan as part of the 21st century economy and crucial to fighting dangerous climate change.

"What Mr. Harper is not saying is we do not add to your tax burden. We shift it towards pollution," he said.

However, Dion announced Green Shift plan changes this past week to ease its effects on those in the farming, forestry and fisheries sectors -- something the Conservatives have painted as a "Green Shift Shift."

The ballot question would be one of leadership, but Dion asked, "leadership for what?

"Leadership to avoid challenges, and to put us on a risky road of the challenges of the competitiveness of the economy, of climate change, of the fact that you have poverty in this country -- and the current leadership is doing nothing," he said. "Or leadership to tackle these issues with Canadians and to win together."

Comments are now closed for this story

Ugh Conservatives
said

Dion?

I'd vote for the chair on which I'm sitting before I'd vote for Harper.

He's been trying to bribe Canadians with their own money by blowing $8.8 billion instead of trying to make parliament work.

Westcoast Jim
said

I would dance for joy to see political oblivion for the corrupt liberano's. This happened in England in prior to WW2

Hopefully, this election will be a big step towards that dream.

Sandra
said

The more I listen to Mr. Dion...the more sense he makes. I like him...he's smart and genuine. His ideas are worth listening to and considering.

I will NOT be voting conservative again!!

Benny Guan
said

I think the leader for Canada I hope Stephen Harper will win a Majourity. I like the Liberals and the NDP too but I think they will make it interesting race. Go Harper Go he's still what I think Canada needs as a leader for PM.

irwin daisy
said

Dion's so-called green shift is nothing more than a deceptive funding trick for his $80b in election promises. Mostly based on his personal pet social programs.

There is no benefit to the environment, let alone tax paying Canadians.

If Dion is elected, all Canadians will get is another guaranteed tax, with a completely non-guaranteed and ever changing refund scheme, mainly benefiting bigger government and those who pay little or no taxes in the first place.

To top it all off, he thinks Canadians are so naive as to think that the taxes will not trickle down resulting in higher prices on everything from gas to a loaf of bread.

History has proven that socialism has never worked. To make matters worse, we are in uncertain economic times.

The French citizen, Dion's communication problem isn't so much his laughable butchery of the English language, but that he's irrational. A pompous professor, condescendingly lecturing Canadians - as if they were his students - about his socialist, utopian agenda.

Sweep him and his antiquated and utterly corrupt party into the dustbin where it belongs.

Cat
said

um....I tried the link Mr. Dion gave to his GreenShift plan and you'll never guess where it got me? Jennifer Wright's Green Shift company.

Ooops....I think we have our first faux pas from the Liberal tent not even an hour out of the gate. Not a good sign. Perhaps Mr. Dion needs to cool his temper a bit before the next press conference?

P. Manning AB
said

I wonder if we can expect a new album from Greenday?
"Canadian Idiot"

Iris @ Vernon, bc
said

Mr Dion just makes everyone else look good. His condescending attitude says, just leave it up to me and I will spend your money on my friends Then you can give me the Order of Canada, like Jean Chretien. It will take a few more years before the smell leaves Ottawa.

Iris

Steve Daly, Mississauga
said

'Dion attacks Harper's 'conservative ideology'

Isn't that a job for the Leader of the Opposition?

You haven't been doing it in Opposition pal, why should we trust that you would do any more at 24 Sussex?

Do yourself a favour Dion, start looking for work now, after you lose the election the blades of the Party are going to be out.

If folks want to send a real message to Ottawa the process is simple, Liberal supporters should follow the pattern of their fearful leader and simply abstain or not even show up.

Expect action, not abstention from your elected representatives.

Ted
said

At least when the Liberals were in office, people in this country were working and not losing their jobs.
"Lie'n Brian" had this country in a recession just as Harper is doing right now, but Canadians seem to forget about those times.
The billions of dollars in surplus that was created by the Liberal Gov't is all gone now with nothing to show for it except a failing economy, thousands of jobs being lost and a country on the brink of a looming recession.
Over 13 yrs the Liberals built up a surplus that Harper and Jim Flaherty have just squandered away !
Think about it Canada !
In my opinion Mr. Harper is a snake in the grass and not to be trusted.

Ted Wannamaker
Oshawa Ontario

paul B.C.
said

Out of curiosity,

Has everybody for got about Gagliano, Martin, Chreten. Yeah the thieves that stole our money for 13 years. There has been no change in the Liberal party just a few names and more bank accounts that need filling.

The war in Afghanistan, yeah it's tuff our young men and women and their families are paying a high price. At least their efforts are preventing a terrorist attack here on Canadian soil.

Also the Liberals destroyed our military through budget cuts and the law enforcement community as well, the Conservatives are repairing the Liberal rein of systematic cuts all spending and diverting the monies to their personal use.

In B.C. we are going through the same Liberal moneyism that the Liberals did to the rest of Canada for 13 years.

Les
said

Really...the decision boils down to this. Do we want a weeny leading our country...or a man with guts like Harper.

paul
said

Well now finally a leader who is willing to put his actions and words to the test. This is what we need as a leader, Harper.
As for Dion and the Liberal crooks of Canada, we will finally be rid of ya's. We have been dragged through the mud, the Liberals even let the prisoners, yes the rapist, pedophiles and murderers the rite to vote, just so they could win an election.
At least the Conservatives want to lower our taxes and punish the scum of our society.

I say let's get this election over with and give the Conservatives a majority.

Jim
said

Although Dion's image is different than the other leaders, I like his style. Yes it's a leap of faith for me to vote Liberal but all around us change is happening so what's wrong with that?

GTA
said

I really couldn't tell when he was speaking English & when he was speaking French. The one thing Dion did make clear was that he and his party are in full panic mode. Bring on a Conservative Majority & NDP Opposition- time to put Dion and his cronies out of their/our misery.

Mary Ewen
said

I'm glad that you "love being the underdog" Dion.
Because,that's what you'll always be,in Canadian politics.
A weak and meek leader,with no ideas,except to add taxes,to the already overburdened Cdn. taxpayer.
Libs had 13 yrs. in power,to actually "do something" for the Environment.
Instead,a piece of paper called Kyoto was signed.
Then we all watched,as GHG's rose by over 30%.
13 yrs was a long time,to do something.
You just didn't get it done!

Mo Sadeghi (Vancouver)
said

Are you going to trust Harper who brakes his promise, who embarrassed us in Kyoto and Beijing???

Connie - Regina
said

even though I am not sure that Mr. Dion is going to be a strong leader - anything is better than the reformer that has ruined our military reputation as peace keepers. BEcause of what he has done, Canadians will never be trusted to go to a country as peace keepers. Our soldiers are trained to protect Canada, not to be gun - toting americans in foreign countries.

Mo Sadeghi (Vancouver)
said

If Dion is the most left-wing leader ever, then what is Jack Layton doing here?

Dion is not experienced enough? Dion is the underdog? At least he is not a liar like Harper who acts against his own law. I would rather vote for someone who keeps his words and is sincere.

Perhaps it is time to think about the environment. What has Harper done about it? NOTHIIIIIIING. Instead, he wants to make things worse. I would rather have my income tax (from the back of a hard working tax payer) reduced not the taxes on large corporates (some of witch are involved in the large scale pollution of the environment) owned by super rich people. And if I decide to pollute the environment by driving, I wouldn't mind paying for it. This will encourage people to by hybrid or zero emission cars.

Also, I want to use my care card when I need medical care not my credit card.

Our economy is not doing well, we have lost thousands of jobs since Harper came to the office. The only reason we are not doing worse is because of China (After all Chinese have the been the ones buying our metals).

Also, 97 soldiers died in Afghanistan. I wonder what their families are going through. What are we REALLY doing there??? Doing what Bush tells us to do???

Don't go Conservative. Americans (the most conservative nation) are trying not to make that mistake again.

Linda in Georgetown
said

What happened to Canada being a leader in the world? Is our quality of life getting better or are we stuck in a rut? I don't think I am the only one tired of politics. It seems that people with political aspirations are unlikely to rock the boat with innovative ideas, so we keep electing more of the same. Nothing changes in any meaningful way. Yes, change is uncomfortable and Dion is an unknown...but this is not a time to fear either. I just read Dion's Green Shift plan online. Do yourself a favour and read it. It's not just about the environment. It is an innovative plan to stimulate the economy and help all Canadians create a better future. It's a new way of approaching our economy, with the support of economists. We can't be leaders in the world until we demonstrate the courage to change at home. I'm asking Canadians to be informed before heading to the polls. I'm ready for a healthy dose of innovation and change, aren't you?

Josh, Vancouver
said

So Harper wants a majority Gov, yet he predicts another minority.
Planing head games with us.
Why does Harper need a majority to become a dictator?
He has not been blocked by the opposition to date, what is his hidden agenda?
Harper could have done something about the dirty way the oil sands are being developed, but he did nothing and even the oil customer USA is complaining.
Based on his time in Gov I have no reason to trust Harper.
Watch out if he gets a majority.

Dennis
said

See, here is the problem. Mr. Dion has been chosen to be the leader of the liberal party in a convention where if you are a contendor and you do not make the ballot, you can tell your delegates to vote for the person to whom you gain the most favours from. It does not mean that this person is the right person for the job, but only that he can do the most for you. Ever since he has been electd as the party leader, he has failed to rise in the polls and there is a good reason for that. He has failed to convince the people who can eventually put him in office that he can do a better job than Mr. Harper. That being said, it defies all logic that he would still think that he can actually be prime minister. Instead of passing on the torch, he will get Mr.Harper re-elected and this time I'm affraid it will be a majority.

Bernadette, Windsor
said

Well, Dion..When Liberals where in power, for about 13th years. Liberals where never fair to all Canadians, why would they'd trust them now? Though they favour few Liberals!!! They never made Canada richer, accept made Canadians pay taxes through the nose to made some Liberals millionaires. Also, Liberals did nothing for the environment in the 13th years while they where in power. Actualy the environment got worse after Libs got in power. Why would we, Canadians trust them now? I'm tired of Liberals empty promises, 13th years too many.

gar
said

What worries me as a veteran is the fact that a Canadian soldier was killed the minute the election was announced.Canada,s Lenin Jack Layton may try to make the war an issue. We already know that the gound rules are in place for 2011 for Canada,s role change.I hope the media wil once more let us know who the MPs were who accude our troops of being killers.Loyal Canadians realize that a price has to be paid in the war on terror and you never negotiate with the terroist. Elizabeth May is the political laugh of the year.She is a surrogate for the Liberals.

arthur
said

At least we know what Mr Dion will do regarding the environment. So far Mr Harper has said it's impossible to do anything and sat on his hands.

I think Mr Harper's plan is to ignore the enviornment and when we have all died due to climate change we will not care that the economy has fallen apart or that we have no retirement funds.

Dale Kelowna
said

THE harper you see to-day is not the Harper you will get if he ever gets a majority.Surely the citizens have seen enough of this man over the past two years to realize he is obsessed with power and is not reluctant to abuse it.There are also plenty of examples that prove he cannot be trusted,and will take dictator like measures to get his own way.
NO HE IS NOT WARM AND FUZZY.

geraldo
said

Mr. Dion, like the rest of the
"greenery" surrounding him (Toronto media included) are delusional about his intentions
on forming a government. Mr. Dion's pathetic purchase of enviro-credits to offset the
'pollution' from his antiquated air transport shows this is nothing but electioneering jetwash. These bozos KNEW an election was on the horizon and all they can manage is a museum piece. Now they know what it's like to fly antiquated hardware. They saddled the military with that for years.

Stephanie from Guelph
said

Like many others, I believe the idiocy of the political promises & goals have reached an all-time high. And fortunately, many younger educated voters like myself are able to see through the guise of politicians who have jazzed up and/or desecrated ones image through the USE of the media in ALL its forms.

It's not a matter of who Canadians want IN parliament, but WHO YOU WANT OUT! I have seen & heard enough of this old-fashioned "Boys Club" war, and like many others who want to see progression for society AS A WHOLE, want OUT.

JPC
said

It's not squandering it's taxing oppropriatly. Over taxing and having huge surpluses to waste does not make a party fiscally responable.

Give Harper and his conservatives a majority so we can get on with running the country, the best way it's been run in years.

And away we go
said

Good speech by Dion, but it is the same old message repackaged. Give me something new...prove to me you will not upset the current balance that Harper has achieved. If Dion intends to take us back down the road of tax and spend Liberals of the past, I want nothing to do with him!

Herb
said

To Gone Fishing:

I'm not a Liberal in the least. Of course opinions can differ, but the way news is worded and framed shows bias. I'm not interested in a reporter's personal/editorial opinion in a story, I only want objective coverage.

GC
said

Unfortunately, most Canadinas have stopped using their brain and will rely on the biased sound bytes from the media to decide their vote.

Learn the issues, understand the parties and stop making this election about personality.

AT
said

The green shift has nothing to do with climate change - it is all about a big tax grab which will be used to feather the nest of liberal social spending initiatives - I cannot afford to pay more for heating, groceries, gas, clothing - things are expensive enough as it is - I sometimes vote Liberal, but this time I am voting not based on party, but on the liberal policy which will destroy our economy.

NORRIS L.
said

The Liberals have NO leadership. If only there was a combind party of Liberals and Cons.

" nothing is too big for the heart of a Quebecer".

" happy campaigning to all".

"Nobel Prizes winners".
HA HA HA HA , what a moron .

Geo
said

For an environmentalist, Mr.Dion should never have had to ask in Saskatchewan yesterday
"What is car pooling?"

And he just learned a big lesson about his own Green Shift plan.
The difficulty most Canadians will have to change to alternative fuels when there is none to be gotten.
His inability to find a plane that is environmentally better than the one he is using should be an embarrassment to the Liberals and Mr.Dion.
Mr.Dion your plan is not as simple as you think.

John
said

Dion is already attacking the Conservatives for having a Conservative ideology. The Conservative party of Canada is the most moderate conservative movement anywhere in he world

Doug BC
said

HaHa.Now that's funny.Talk about a "hidden agenda".I never hear Harper denying he's a Conservative.Why is it Dion can't own up to being a socialist?? He's like Democrats in the USA being unable to admit to being Liberal.
While I concede Mr.Harper is a bit more conservative on some issues than I would prefer,he is still a vast improvement over the socialist ways the Liberals have chosen.They are little more than the NDP in drag.
I switched from Liberal to Conservative when the last Liberal government's conservative finance minister became a big "tax and spend" PM in order to buy hmself a majority government.While I am anxious to return to supporting a party that is a little less right wing,there is no chance I will vote for the socialists who have taken over the Liberal party.
We have made a great deal of progress in reducing our debt,some progress on lowering taxes,and a lot of progress on upgrading our military.This is not a time to be undoing that progress by returning to socialist ideologies.Nor is it a good time for Canadians to be lining up at the trough asking for more "free" social programs.There is no better way to reduce poverty than to build an economy that provides jobs for people living in poverty,and making sure workers can keep most of the money they earn.I support programs for the elderly and the disabled,but everyone else needs to get to work.If you aren't earning enough,don't ask for another "freebie",get busy and upgrade your skills.
I vote "NO" to socialists handing out tax dollars to everyone who wants something for nothing.These dollars are not "public funds".They are our earnings.

Lloyd from Calgary
said

I must applaud Mr. Dion's keen sense of the obvious, not everyone has the intellectual chops to recognize that the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada might espouse conservative ideas. Well done Stephane!

Additionally, I wonder if CTV will be embedding links to all party websites in their "news reports" or is this a form of promotion afforded to select parties?

Just asking.

Syncro

JDM
said

Dion seems nice but... Why is there no mention of the costs (billions) for govt to legislate, administer, enforce and defend his vote-buying environmental "plan"? Who pays?

DCR-Toronto
said

Attacking a partys ideology shows exactly what Dion is. A communist. And a would-be dictator. Any "leader" who says that there is no other way than his, is someone we as a country should fear. He is attacking many citizens of this country by saying that the conservative ideology is so extreme. Harper offers an option on the right, but does not say that the Liberal brand of ideology should be feared. And that is exactly what it is...ideology. A utopian nanny state is what the Liberals want. Then they can control the masses and live in their ivory towers. I am at the point of looking forward to an NDP official opposition. At least they don't hide that they are extreme socialists. Liberals have been steering this country to a nanny state since the original commie, Trudeau, hijacked the party. I have voted for more than one party in the past as well, so I do try to look at who does best. But it has become all too clear where the Liberals want to take this country. A scary scary thought, indeed.

Mark
said

Some old story all these guys can do is attack someone elses plans and ideas. Because they dont have one of their own... News Flash Mr. Dion, Scare tactics wont work because we have had almost 3 years to see they are not scary at all. If anything we have seen the Conservatives are Liberals Lite!

Andrew
said

If Prime Minster Harper is doing such a bad job, and is such a threat, then Mr. Dion has a lot of explaining to do. Why did Mr. Dion and the Liberals allow Mr. Harper to stay in power for so long?

They weren't keeping them in check, all the Liberals did was walk out of votes and stay away from work.

Mr. Dion can do a lot of talking, but when push came to shove, Dion just ran and hide under his bed.

Mr. Harper is one of the best Prime Minster this country has seen in ages.

Joe MacDonald,Charlottetown
said

I was not impressed with Mr DION and the NDP don't have a hope in H###LL outside of Toronto or Vancouver...Voting either Liberal or Green is a waste of time...you may like your sitting member..but I would rather have a sitting Govt member....times have changed people... get with it so we can grow this country with our young people...

Alex
said

You know what, Dion? I think Harper's conservative ideology is right. And I think your liberal ideology is wrong. You think that government can use taxpayer money to solve whatever problem comes its way, but I want whatever taxes I pay to be used in a fiscally responsible manner.
I'm scared when I think about living in a country run by any of the leaders other than Harper.

Rick in NB
said

Good afternoon folks i have a question. Why are people like Mike Webster taking offence at Dion's Quote? "Sephen Harper formed the most conservative government in our history". Are you not proud of being what you vote for. I like the thought of trying to be the best that one can be.
At last i will get to know Dion better. Most people that hate Dion have to confess that they don't know him. You disliked the party, so inturn you dislike Dion. You probably will not give him a chance, but i will. I really believe i'm going to be impressed.
Turns out that he has been sitting in the background letting everybody form an opinion. Now his job is to show people he is a leader when a leader is needed. Its going to be a good election campiagn for everyone. Lets keep it clean. I hate cheap shots.

Greg in the Hammer
said

Mr Dion failed to add in his comments regarding other governments and carbon taxes.... that the reason they have not switched "back" is because they are raking in HUGE amounts of taxes at the publics expense. THIS IS BAD POLICY.

The market more than any other factor changes peoples behaviour, consumption, habits etc.

It also spurs innovation and advancement. Government interference in these matters only leads to wasted billions of our money.

Robert Eppich
said

Isn't the government breaking the law? Is it the conservatives that do not have confidence in the government, that brought down the government? Has anyone asked the courts or at least lawyers as to whether or not the government is acting legally? What happens to the next government in respect to this fixed election date law? Leadership, trust, clarity, transparency, respect for the law, are paramount issues in my mind in regards to my vote. I can't vote for a party that itself does not stand clearly on the correct side of the law.
Thank you Canada, true north, strong and free.
Delta, BC

Ann Gloyn, Brantford
said

Elizabeth is right, the LIberal "Green Shift" is missing the other part of the plan...that which the Green Party have developed and honed over time, that which is supported by leading economists, and a plan that is based on a total "systems approach" with everything is connected

Chris
said

Isn't Dion supposed to be a Rhodes scholar? Get a dictionary, Stephane! Low taxes + high spending does not = "Conservative." All Harper has done is take Liberal ideology and taken it to the next level. Isn't that what we all wanted? Harper was this big, scary conservative who was going to make massive changes. What a joke that was. And don't talk to me about social issues. Harper's a politician before he's a conservative. America's just had the most socially conservative president in years, and still nothing has really changed socially with the exception of a few supreme court decisions. If you really think that's his ultimate aim, to prevent some people from getting married or take away a woman's right to choose, I mean, I'm not exactly a Harper fan in any way, shape or form, but if that's your view, I don't care who you plan to vote for . Stay home on the 14th and leave this up to people who actually pay attention. If Harper is the most conservative prime minister ever, what exactly do we call those leaders in the past who opposed universal health care? And if low taxes and inflated government spending...never mind, just buy yourself a dictionary before you think about voting.

my opinion
said

If this government is the most conservtive in history, how can it have squandered $12 billion. That sounds more Liberal to me. And if you go to GreenShift.ca, it takes you to the Green Shift Company, not the Liberal website. Now do you still lthink you are not infringing on that company Mr. Dion?

Alicia
said

It,s true the conservatives wated our surplus...but the Liberals won't stop bragging about having created it when in fact they did that by starving our social programs. The very existence of the surplus was proof of Liberal mismanagement of the economy.

Mary Ewen
said

The Conservatives are the only Govt. offering centrists policies.
I have a really difficult time,being able to tell the differerence,under Dion,between the NDP and the Lbs.
The Libs are now a fully Left Wing Party.

Craig in Calgary
said

Why is it that the word "conservative" is now a euphemism for bad?

The problem with the Liberals is they seem to think that they are the default government in Canada. That arrogance is what cost them in 2006 and it is what is going to lose them this election.

People do not share there rose-coloured glasses view of Canada anymore.

Simply saying something is bad without given substantial proof doesn't cut it. Pretending that you're going to help the taxpayers then, at the same time, fight pollution is a blatent lie. When you really mean that you are going to raise taxes, then offer cuts to your core supporters (who don't even pay taxes to begin with).

Dion is going to remain the underdog as he takes his party to ruin.

Norbert in Manitoba
said

I'll take 'Conservative Ideology" over Liberal corruption and lies any day!

Dennis
said

As if he wouldn't do the same thing if he was Prime Minister. Everyone knows the liberals are the party of corporate Canada. Think it's a coincidence that corporations support a carbon tax and that Dion changed his position from supporting a cap and trade system to a carbon tax?

dave
said

you just lost the rural vote farmers will not stand for a tax that will drive them off the land

Tony Dibold
said

Mr. Dion's calculator says I will earn an extra $30 a month on his Green Shift plan. I am sure all of my other costs that will go up because of his plan, gas,heating fuel,etc., is much more than $30. thanks but no thanks Mr. Dion.

Randy
said

Nice election ad for the Liberals.

John (aka: I'll Give This One A Pass)
said

I couldn't care less. I'm totally fed up with the whole political process. Whether it be twiddle dee dumb or twiddle dee dumber, Canada will again be leaderless for the next X-number of years. Unfortunately I'm not the only one feeling this way. I spoken with many over the last few months and the consensus is that many will hold their nose and vote or they will just give a pass to this election. It's sad when you feel you're going to vote for the least worst. I feel like I'm just a pawn in their little game of political chess. Regardless of who gets elected..... Hold on Canada we're in for a rough ride with no one at the helm. May the force be with us.

Gone Fishing
said

To Herb and others, bias does not simply mean the editors failed to say Dion is God and Harper is Satan.

It is actually OKAY to acknowledge another plan may work. The Liberal way of doing it is usually to STEAL the other plan, but I digress.

The article announcing Harper's call was not biased to the Conservatives. It even raised the issue of a broken promise regarding fixed election date. It didn't even bother to get a quote from ANYONE else, just mentioned it as a liablility. I am not willing to call it bias to opposition. Just a statement of fact as seen.

Media need not be biased or imbiassed, it simply reports. Please Herb,don't scream bias, it doesn't work well with people who watched Jean Chretien jiggle the puppet strings at CTV/CBC etc for so long.

Nothing has to be Liberal to be good. Nothing has to be Conservative to be bad.

To another postee, Ontario never rejected Mike Harris in an election, they rejected the pink tory realm of Ernie Eves and John Tory, just to set the record straight

Paul B
said

If by definition Conservative ideology means balanced budgets, lower taxes and more effective measures against the scum committing crimes in our cities then bring it on.

Ryan P.
said

Oh yipppeee a repeat of the failed Martin Campaign of 2006: Paint Harper and the Millions of ordinary Canadians who support him as right wingers. I'm sure the Canadian public will buy it this time...when do we get an updated "troops in the streets" campaign ad from the Liberal Party of Canada? Or perhaps we can discuss the environmental impact of the 29 year old Liberal campaign plane; The Stephane Express?

Pat in Ontario
said

Harper seems to think he is a US senator, and has called an election the government doesn't need. Dion's proposals are academic but impractical and dangerous. Where's Rick Hillier when we need him?

RJ
said

I was really surprised by Dion's speech. I admit I had never really heard him at length before and I was impressed. Much better than I was expecting. I'm still undecided but, hmmm...

steve
said

If I want to vote for the "Green Shift" , I'll vote for the Green Party!! Come on Dion , Get with the program .

Hoping for a Liberal Disaster!
said

Mr Dion, then explain to us Canadians how on 44 occasions you chose, either through vote or by absence, to continue propping up such a "right wing" government, when you could have avoided all the right wing legislation by simply defeating the government. This is disingenuous of you to say the least. Good bye!

FrankCanadian
said

Lots of toadies voicing their support for the PM. Throughout history loyalty has been key to political party election victories. The people of Germany, Italy, even Quebec, know party loyalty when it comes their way.
Harper deserves this election to indicate loyalty is his and that he will be enabled to properly unfurl his wings to lead the Canadian populous.
Only his followers will know how great he will be with a majority win.
Canada awaits her leader of destiny.

Tom G
said

Hey Herb if you want real bais you should read the CBC site, what you get here on CTV is fair and balanced.

Gail
said

Attacking Conservative ideology shows a desperate politician. If he outlines his socialist policies, he will in fact confirm to me that we are headed for a one world order, deliberately orchestrated. You can attack our Conservative policies, but when you attack our personal ideology, you are using one of the oldest politicial tactics of fear used by unsavoury world leaders of the past and present. Sorry Mr. Dion, I don't buy the policies that you're selling.

Marie
said

I for one will be voting for Mr. Dion. I believe he is n honesr man & will work for the betterment of all Canadians. Btw, if his English is the issue in some peoples mind, it proves they have a very small & bias mind.

Raymond
said

Its funny when people say this article is biased when just a couple of days ago, it was about Harper's attacks on the other parties. I think CTV has been fair to the two major parties and it should come down to really the debate of HAS HARPER BEEN TRUTHFUL? TRANSPARENT? and ACCOUNTABLE? With those 3 questions, I already say NO. So let's see what a minority Liberal government will do and go at least another 3 or 4 years and then people judge Dion.

James T. from Parts Unknown, Saskatchewan.
said

We musn't fight among ourselves. The legitimate parties ALL have Canada's best interests at heart. It is ONLY the so-called green party that seeks to bring about humanity's destruction so that their pagan earth goddess "Gaia" can be pure again.

Kevin Redmond, Waterloo, ON
said

Harper's government may have been the most conservative only due to years of Liberal rule. Harper is a moderate... while Dion is admittedly a former Marxist. When you lean that far left, you have a hard time putting $15 billion back into tax payer's pockets. I know Dion's just looking at it from his perspective, but Dion's still definitely not worth the risk.

MJM
said

And I attack Dion's 'liberal ideology' that thinks every problem should be solved by a government program and that I as a taxpayer should be joyful that the government has decided to use my tax dollars to support artists, high school dropouts, businesses that can't make a profit, etc. etc. etc.

Herb
said

This article is another example of CTV's bias. Nothing negative was said about Harper in the article on his election announcement. But here, in Dion's response, we are fed the conservative line. What gives?

Recently retired
said

Mr Dion is right. I will never forget the Harris government when I lived in Ontario. We do not need another Harris-like government. I think that is why Baird and Flaherty have been hidden from view of late. They were reminding Ontarians of those days and Ontario would never support another Harris (now Harper) "common sense" revolution.

David Lorne from White Rock
said

When is it ever a bad thing to be conservative and responsible? Never, I would hope. It's now Dion's last chance to prove he's not weak.

Moi
said

Listening to Mr. Dion this morning, I think we'll have a great race. I will vote Liberal because Steve-o is taking us in the wrong direction. I look forward to hearing Mr. Dion's platform over the next 37 days and not listening to character assassinations by the right wing loonies.

Connie
said

I like Dion. He is not from the same mould as other politicians. He is open, honest and brings forward ideas. He considers other points of view and is not afraid of debate.

mw
said

It wasn't that many years ago that the idea of a balanced budget was "conservative ideology" (see 1993 election campaign). It might just be that conservative ideas sometimes are good ideas.

geo
said

Mr.Dion the Liberals have always regarded the surpluses as some kind of profit.
The government isn't a profit making company.
Where do these surpluses come from?
From the backs of the hard working tax payer.
These "surpluses" is just plain over taxation. The same type of game that the green Shift is playing.
No thanks Stephane.

Mike in Calgary
said

Dion will not disappoint the Conservatives. I fully expect him to continue to self-destruct...

KJ
said

It would appear to me expectations are so low for a very good reason. Finishing 4th on the first ballot might work out in the end for Dion in a convention -- but there's only ONE BALLOT in the general election!!

Gary
said

Dion says "I love being the underdog". And I say ya, it looks natural on him. Hopefully his low expectations of himself will be recognized when he and his party are voted out of existence come election day

Mike Webster
said

If Harper is the most conservative, that would make Dion the most Left-wing leader ever. Fortunately, Dion will never be PM. The 87% of Liberals who didn't want him as leader of their party were right. Dion's "leadership" is going to result in an extended stay in the political wilderdeness and a second expensive and divisive leadership race for his party.