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Home : Top Stories : Dion demands party unity, defends Ignatieff

Dion demands party unity, defends Ignatieff

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CTV.ca News

Date: Thu. Mar. 27 2008 10:04 PM ET

Stephane Dion defended himself Thursday against questions swirling about his leadership of the Liberal Party.

Several high profile Quebec Liberals have raised doubts over the past week about Dion's tenure at the helm of the party. But Dion said the criticism is only stirring up negative headlines about the party.

Flanked by supporters, Dion told reporters and his party, "With discipline we will win."

Dion said he wants the party to focus on Stephen Harper's Conservatives, not internecine feuding.

"I'm the leader, and I don't want any more indiscipline," Dion said following a meeting of his Quebec wing executive.

As Dion was delivering his message calling for the party to come together, Deputy Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff sent off a press release adamantly denying a Montreal newspaper report alleging he said publicly that he is looking forward to Dion's departure.

"The statement directly attributed to me in this morning's La Presse is entirely false," Ignatieff said in the statement.

"No one has the right to call my loyalty into question."

Dion backed up his former rival for the party leadership, who he said is furious at the accusation of disloyalty.

"He's worked very well with me, and I'm happy to have him as deputy leader," Dion said.

Dion has come under fire recently from party members such as Liberal Quebec wing vice-president Steven Pinkus and former Liberal cabinet minister Liza Frulla. Frulla has said Dion has "no instinct" about problems in the party and Pinkus said Liberal results in a potential spring election "wouldn't be pretty." Pinkus also told CTV's Mike Duffy Live earlier this week that the party is losing good potential candidates because it has been slow to move on their nominations.

"We have a whole lot of work to do in Quebec, we know that," Dion said Thursday.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Paul in BC
said

Mr. Dion is a decent, intelligent, honest, well-meaning man but does not connect with the people of Canada and never will, and that is what really matters.

I'd also ask Mr. Dion to step down; however, I do not want him to be replaced by the previous leadership hopefuls but rather a new, energetic, charismatic, intelligent person who can connect with the people of Canada. The Liberals would then win a majority.

Mr. Dion for the sake of Canada we hope you do the right thing and not cling on to the leadership of the Party.


dvg
said

Mr Dion,

It's time to leave and this is coming from the Liberals in NL, NS, PE, NB, ON, MN, SK, AB, BC, YK, NT, and NU. Are QC Liberals were just the first you heard from.

Your Truly,

Liberals from all over.


Doug
said

If ever there was a time when leadership mattered for the Liberals and our country, it is now. The Tories say-one-thing-and-then-do-another-when-elected (Emerson, open government, bully politics, environment, Gomery, US politics, Income Trusts etc)has gone unchallenged. The NDP are too busy trying to bury the Liberals and the Liberals have dropped the ball. Where was Dion and Layton when Flaherty was telling the world not to invest in Ontario? Leadership matters and it is missing in Canada.


Rod
said

It appears that the Liberals are uncovering the 'knives'. I guess they are no better than the Conservatives in that regard. Even though I am a Red Tory I think you at least owe it to your leader to give him one election.


Craig
said

Dion is in a tough spot. He should go for an election now, just to put himself out of his misery. He'll lose, Harper minority as a result, quit as leader, Ignatief or Rae will take over and everyone will say what a great leader Dion was. Either this or face continuing questions and bad press.


Ari
said

Mr. Dion says "he wants to see fewer headlines in newspapers about his leadership and more about his party's criticism of Prime Minister Stephen Harper".

At least now we understand that he chosen the press to oppose the government and not the Parliament where he has been walking away from any crucial vote. The only problem I have is that the press is not elected, political parties are.



Steve H.
said

I remember these same leadership issues under Joe Clark!! The liberals, at that time, were riding the political wave in Canada like pros and now look at them now. How the tables have turned!! If anyone thinks Ignatief or Ray could do better are dreaming in technicolour. Mr Dion is quickly being educated as to what it's like to be an oposition leader.......


Nic
said

I too agree that Mr. Dion is a very intelligent man, but unfortunately, not leadership material.

I would like to see someone like Frank McKenna taking over as Liberal leader. He has a proven track record and would be great for this country.


Sheldon in NS
said

Mr. Frank McKenna,

Please consider a comeback. Even if it is only for one term. We need someone with vision and leadership such as yourself. I would gladly take you for one term over Mr. Dion for any length of time. Your country needs you.




Fat Tony
said

Mr. Dion, please stay on a leader of the federal liberals. You were democratically elected as leader. The people that oppose you are traitors to the Liberal party and should be dealt with accordingly. Bring down the government, and show them all show them all what you are made of.


Devon K.
said

First off let me just say PLEASE MR. DION DON'T QUIT. As a solid true, blue Tory I want you leading the Liberals to the same spot Kim Campbell led the old PCs.

Seriously though Mr. Dion was never the first choice of his party and as a compromise candidate never had the whole hearted support of most of the people in that party.

He might have had a chance if he had brought down the Harper government and stood up for what he believed in. Instead he played it safe and how did he put it, "at a time of our choosing when it is best for us to win" I believe as to when he would defeat the government.

He might be a good book worm but that's about it.


Albertan by choice
said

Mr. Dion,

Please stay on as the Liberal Leader! Yes, you are intelligent and that is a plus! With you at the helm of the Liberal Party the Conservatives are almost a shoo-in majority in the next federal election and that would please ALL ALBERTANS! I can say that as Alberta just completed a provincial election and kicked the Liberal butts all over the place!!! Also, the Military needs and deserves a CONSERVATIVE majority after years of cut backs and cut backs and still more cut backs from the Liberals; who turned our military into a weekend camping force using outdated and obsolete equipment. At least the Conservatives, under the helm of Harper, are giving us what we truly need in this day and age of uncertainty! Now all we need is a new Jet Fighter Force to replace the late 1970's vintage F18's!!


Eric
said

Dion must stay on as Leader to show that he was not elected by luck but my his incredible leadership qualities.


Chuck
said

Dion just talking about party discipline is useless. Show your teeth Dion - bite off some heads.


Old and Grumpy
said

It is my belief that Stephane Dion was put up as the Liberal leader at a time when the Conservative Government was too strong and whoever the Liberal leader was would have to wait and flop about (like he is doing now). One can equate him to a sacrificial lamb waiting for the true hopeful - Michael Ignatieff. My gut tells me that they put up Dion to prepare the waters of Ignatieff once Canada got tired of Harper which might some argue as already come. I actually think Harper is doing a good job but the best Liberal leader is Ignatieff.


d
said

Poor Mr Dion. The writing is on the wall that he has failed as a leader. He is too short sighted to see that if an election was called with no change in leadership, the Liberals will be defeated, very very badly. Compounding the problem is all the back stabing hopefuls such as "Iggy" and "NDP Bob" waiting for him to fall. Too bad if you are Liberal; great if you are Conservative, NDP, BQ, Green, et al.


Jeff
said

I agree with DVG. As long as Dion is in charge of the Liberals, I'll be voting GREEN and I will not tolerate Liberal intimidation by telling me a vote for GREEN is a wasted vote.


Craig
said

"The Liberal leader says he wants to see fewer headlines in newspapers about his leadership and more about his party's criticism of Prime Minister Stephen Harper."

And I'd like the media to stop focusing on the Prime Minister's supposed "agenda" and start reporting on how well he's running the country.

But sadly, it's not going to happen.


Just a guy from Ottawa....
said

Too funny! Its too bad for the Liberals he was made the leader (and a great gift to the Conservatives). In true Liberal fashion he's way to interested in social engineering both his candidates and the rest of Canada.

TF - Sarnia
said

Liberals must be United

Mr. Dion is the Leader of our party

The last time Liberals fought over a Leader - Canada was burden with Mr. Mulroney!

Let's do what is right - use our energy to defeat Mr. Harper and put resprect; dignity; honesty back into the House of Commons and make it work for Canadians!

Let's get Canadians involved and engaged and they will see the Liberal Team who is embraced by a Leader who believes in a team approach

Canada first, Canada last, Canada always!





Armin
said

Dion is a nice guy.. but he still is part of the Chretien era of the Liberals..

The Liberal Party made the biggest error they could by not choosing Gerard Kennedy as leader.


Doug
said

I guess it's only fair to give him his chance at an election.I am also sure he is a decent,well meaning man.I do have concerns when he suggests we should pay less attention to criticizing him,and more attention to his criticism of the Harper government.For me,I don't see how anyone improves his position by denegrating someone else.WHat happened to the days when,if you disagreed with someone,you proved yourself a better choice by articulating better policies yourself.
I was a lifelong Liberal.This is not a Liberal Party.It is simply and adjunct of the NDP.So many outright socialists have infiltrated the pary that is should now be re-named "NDP Lite".
And guess what? If Mr.Dion goes,there are just a bunch of old NDP socialists waiting in the wings to replace him,and push for the same tired old left wing agenda.
I do not like Mr.Harper or his government.But at this time they are the least objectionable of the two choices.I will gladly return to the Liberals if,or when they return to the centre of the political spectrum.Perhaps similar to the Liberals in BC who are much more like the old PC.Unlike Mr,Harper,who is very similar to the old Reform than the PC's.
Right now,there is a vacuum between extreme right and extreme left wing policies.


Tom Hawley
said

The people that spoke out against Mr.Dion have the right to do so as long as they don't hide behind reporters.
Sure, everyone is not happy within any family.
Some times it is the neighbours who see "fighting" and are the ones who spread more than what it is.
Perhaps it is another party who is spreading the "good"(sarcasm) news...



Loving It
said

Please keep Dion. We couldn't ask for more - he's weak, doesn't let his party vote in the House and keeps dragging the Liberals down - it's great.

Have the guts to force an election which will destroy the liberals once and for all (even in Ontario), the Conservatives will get the majority, run the country like it should be run and then we can all turn our attention to other more important matters.

Keep going Dion!


JFJ
said

That should do it.


david
said

Dion is only an intellectual, non-practical man. He should stick to non critical roles, like teaching. But for now I hope he remains leader until after the election. It will ensure a conservative majority


Frank Buchan
said

Dion is certainly wrong on one point: I haven't seen the media focus on his leadership -- they are focusing on his fumbling lack of leadership.

As for his supposed intelligence...wouldn't that imply he was bright enough to assess his position and do the honourable thing by backing away for the good of his party? Politicians have no honour, or even a vague sense of ethics in many cases, so his behaviour isn't at all surprising.

And what he is, for sure, is a perfect poster boy for the arrogant Liberal mindset that turned off so many Canadians in the first place. Some advice for whatever hack eventually replaces him: Speak to us, not down toward us; don't impose your belief you know better how to manage our lives and wealth than we do; and consider an occasional truth, because sometimes the truth is actually more useful than a pack of lies.


Roch
said

It seems to me Dion is unable to accept any constructive criticism, even from his own party members.

A good leader needs to be able to hear what his followers are telling him, but Dion is oblivious anything could be wrong.

He will hang onto power until the embarrassment of the looming massive election loss for the Liberals forces him to resign.

Ignatieff from America will be new Liberal hopeful saviour, in the fall of 2009. Liberals will have to set aside their anti-American sentiments when that happens.




Mel from Calgary
said

Stephan Dion has a great team working with him and he has praised them at every opportunity.
All new leaders need time and Stephan Dion is no different. It is what Bob Rae called "stategic patience" and it will work.

Concerned Liberal
said

Leave Dion. Lose the ego and let someone else do the job.


Paul
said

Mr.Albertan by choice...I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but Pierre Elliot Trudeau spent more money on National Defence than your current "Tory" or "Alliance" or whatever they want to call themselves when it suits them best. Yes, I can agree that Mr. Dion may not be the best choice for the Liberals, but Mr. Harper is simply an "Alliance wolf" in "Conservative" clothing.


C Maxwell
said

Dion is scared...see how he retracted his opinion that the meeting went well, then "I should not speak for them". Weak. Weak. Weak.

When the USA kicks out GW Bush and his warmongers in Nov08, there is going to be a thirst to do the same in Canada with GWs buddy "Steve" Harper. Dion will blow that unless he steps down now.


ance
said

Regardless of who is leader, the Liberals will not lose their core supporters who understand the ideological chasm between Conservative and Liberal policy and what would happen if the Conservatives are given a chance to go too far with their policies.

This is evidenced in the poll numbers that show a stable support level below which the Liberals do not fall.

Any poll number movement is among undecided, less ideological voters who need to be given an understanding of what might change in Canada if the Conservatives are given a majority and veer even more to U.S. republican style policy.

This is the job that the Liberals are not doing right now when they are wasting so much time squabling over who is or should be leader.


davie in que.
said

Mr Dion at this moment may not be the strongest leader but with all his faults and problems he is having what does it say about Mr.Harper being unable to build any kind of a lead and actually dropping in party support in Ont. and Que.


Stef Votes Conservative
said

Giving power and money to the Liberals, is the equivalent of giving a teenager a case of 24 and keys to the car.

Need I say more?


Marc
said

I really hope that Mr. Dion never becomes the Prime Minister. He seems to be a pushover, by whipping his caucus to either abstain, or walk out altogether on budgets and government motions. Is that the kind of person we want leading this country? I really hope not.


d
said

Doug

I agree with your assessment of the Liberal Party as it exists today. I, like you, see the party as "NDP Lite". I might even go one step farther and comment that the Conservatives are closer to the centre (albetit right of centre) than the Liberals (so far left they can't see the centre anymore). Lets hope for a new Liberal leader AND the end of the Liberal party movement to NDP recruitment and policy.


vince
said

I am a conservative 'til death, but I do feel kind of sorry for Dion. Who do you trust with all the knives in your back? If he were given a chance to be who he wants to be he may stand a chance. Listening to all who want him to fail has made him a patsy...Good Luck Mr.Dion


NBer
said

Speak for yourself DVB..Leave all the other provinces to speak for themselves...this NBer approves of Mr. Dion as do many others I know.


Maggie B, Peace River, Alberta
said

This is typical 'old-style Liberal party' politics. I don't think Mr. Dion had a chance of proving himself as leader. Too bad -- I thought his style along with Mr. Kennedy's support he would offer something different and refreshing to Canadian voters. Obviously not. Isn't it time for the Rhino Party to re-emerge?


Roadrobber
said

Mr. Dion may be able to command party unity, but the one thing he cannot command is respect. He is nothing more than the accidental leader of the Liberal Party.


Ian
said

politics is a tough game and just because you are intelligent and articulate and sensitive etc it doesn't mean that you will be a good political leader. I am not sure why Dion is hanging on through all of this, but I suspect it is out of pride. However if things go on like this, he may end up losing his dignity as well as his role a Liberal leader. It's time to go so Mr. Dion don't go away mad, just go away.


Steve Deighton
said

Mr. Dion,

Maybe you should make some headlines of your own and silence your enemies with action not constant complaining.

Time to get some new advisors and strategists if you want to make any gains and keep your job.

Since your election as Leader perception has become reality. You and your team are the one's that manage this perception. You look weak and the sharks are all over you.

I for one believe you will never acheive PM status as you are no match for your own party never mind Stephen Harper.


John Fitzgerald
said

As a young Liberal I couldn't be happier to see Mr. Dion as the Liberal leader, It's the youth who Support Mr. Dion & voted him to this position which must be respected. Fellow liberal's should stand strong behind our leader who will take this country when we need the country to go. Mr. Harper wants to put green house gasses into the ground in place of the air. This man needs a wake up call. We need to reduce green house gasses, not just move them under ground to become a future problem. I like lower taxes but, we need to look at what cost we are getting the tax cuts? Like in Europe we need government to take a lead in making Canada a green technology exporter.


Bern
said

I like Dion. He does the right thing, and he does it in an honest, transparent way. He takes criticism with intelligence and patience. He reacts with maturity. He has built a good team.

He is the complete OPPOSITE of Harper. So it's no surprise Canadians who like a bully in power with a vendetta against half the country and a wish to punish them by destroying this country and pitting everyone against each other, don't like Dion. We wouldn't want you to.


Videollama
said

I've said it before - Stephane Dion is the Kim Campbell of the Liberal party.

The people who really run the party knew that they would have to duck for cover for a period of time, and none of the "front-runners" of the day - Tobin, Rock, Manley, McKenna, etc. - were willing to take the hit for the team.

Instead, they chose to leave it to an NDP'er, a man who was absent from Canada for two decades, and Dion, who carried the Chretien baggage with him. Mark my words..., when the time is right, the real leaders will be back in the race.

Meanwhile they'll offer up Dion, an intelligent yet naive sacrificial lamb who was never meant to be anything more than a placeholder.


pdw
said

We must get back to basic Liberal ways of conduct and with Mr. Dion as our leader. More Liberal tactics of the 70's and 90's and stop the nosensical bickering regarding our leadership!


Michael L.
said

I agree with what someone wrote here - Dion is a smart man but does not have the confidence of citizens. Conservatives will win another minority next election, he will resign and either Rae or Iggy will replace him. A pity the process couldn't be expedited, but I fail to see how it could be, from a stricly logistical standpoint. The party doesn't seem to have enough money to fight the next general election, let alone fund another leadership convention. Tough situation. The other possiblity is for Dion to grow a spine and stop supporting the Conservatives out of fear.


Bill in Alberta
said

Albertan By Choice...please speak for yourself and not ALL ALBERTANS because you definitely don't speak for me.


Phil
said

I'd rather have a leader that has to warm up to the role than one who was scheming to run the party for a decade like Paul Martin...




Raybees
said

The sharks are circling the sinking Liberal ship.


Paul in Vancouver
said

Mr. Dion is the author of his own demise. I believe that he was elected to rebuild the party by reaching out to the grassroots and developing a coherent policy platform that has been absent from the party for some time. In short, he was meant to rebuild the party. Instead he succumbed to the temptation to reach for power without first achieving these goals. The rebuilding job will now be left to the next Liberal leader.


BC
said

Dion correctly represents the Liberals, they are both finished.

From BC


FRED
said

IT'true by the comments i have read Dion should step down he is not a leader and never will be. HE might be a good follower and that's as good as it gets. SO say farewell and let someone else take over otherwise the Liberals could be dust.


Rob
said

Mr. Dion, you're doing a great job! You're sticking to your guns with inactive participation in parliament, hipocritical criticism of the Conservative environmental plan, supporting the budget, soldiers in Afganistan, and generally keeping your chin up in the midst of a real mess.
Good Work!!!

Yours Truly,

Conservatives from all over!


Rob
said

Not to allude that Mr. Dion isn't a good Liberal MP, but as a leader, he's lacking. The Liberals need someone strong to stand up to Harper's bullying techniques. Someone strong has to stop the current government from running rampant with his West Coast Cadre. Dion's stepping down can only help the Liberals in the polls.


George (Montreal)
said

The Conservative hidden agenda has kicked in. Sir Stephane Dion's incompetence is showing. It's all the Conservatives' fault.
Please elect Liberals based on an imaginary hidden agenda..



































































.
.
.


Linda
said

I also agree with the comment about Liberals being "NDP Lite".I was formerly a Liberal supporter,and do not like the Consevatives who,as someone said,are more like Reform.
However,I think they are a better choice than "NDP Lite".
Mr.Dion cannot win back my vote merely by raging against the Tories.He has to bring better policies to the table.
Right now the Tories have a better plan for debt reduction.They are better on taxes,crime and justice,defense,and the list goes on.
To get my vote,I need someone who can improve on Mr.Harpers policies.
Unlike Mr.Layton's nonsense about Mr.Harper being out of touch with "ordinary Canadians",I think Harper is very close on many issues.
Canadians do want lower taxes.They like the buying power a higher dollar gives them.They don't want more "free" social programs,and they are taking pride in seeing Canada's debt going down.
I think it's Mr. Layton and Mr.Dion,and a litany of lobbyists and special interest groups who are out of touch.
Harper's government has many faults that concern me.But so far I see nothing better on the horizon.We should not leap from the frying pan into the Liberal fire.


John in Ontario
said

Dion demands party unity? and if he doesn't get unity what exactly is he going to do about it? He threatened to bring down the Government what? 4-5 times then never showed up for the votes? What's he going to threaten Quebec Liberals with? No-one takes him seriously.


David Dunlop
said

I don't know how the rest of you guys and gals out there feel about the Liberal agenda of social engineering my country into their super liberalized view, but I don't like it. Michael Ignatieff adds his own "made in the USA" (he did spend 35 years there as an elite at an Ivy League school) decisions to the mix.

I like Canada the way it was a few years back, and like it today but I don't see it heading in a positive direction for those that have spent a lifetime here. I have served my country in the military, and now work as an entrepreneur, trying to make a living.

The shallow Liberal hidden agenda is to feed the pockets of their "connected" friends, the big banks management, and great friends like the Bombardier, Asper and a long list of other elite families that are in their network. Harvard educated Bob Rae and Jack Layton are in the same boat. All these guys are spewing the mantra that the Conservatives are feeding the rich, hurting the poor and filling their own pockets with no credible proof when that is exactly what they are doing. Reductions in the GST, and lowering corporate taxes to create jobs, helps all Canadians. Liberals and NDP fight against this because it doesn't put money into their or their friends pockets. Such hypocrarcy. Open your eyes people and look deeply into the political party you support.

Regarding the green agenda, no Canadian political party has done more than the Conservatives in the last couple decades. They have acutally done stuff that really happened and really made a difference when spending our(taxpayers) money not like naming your dog Kyoto.


from out west
said

The liberals need Goodale at the helm. the liberals are seen as a government for central canada, not the centralist government that they are hoping is their image. The only thing that will save them now will be to have a leader from out west that is going to address the problems with the current liberals favoring central canada. Goodale would fit that bill and be an awesome leader as well.


Denis P
said

I think the real story is hidden by the media and pollsters.
I think the Liberals are in worse shape than the media,the pollsters, and the Liberal Party are willing to admit. All this "Liberals and Conservatives are tied at the polls" is pure wishful thinking by the Liberals and Liberal friendly media. That's why the Liberals are constantly supporting the Conservatives. If it was about the Conservatives only getting a majority after the next election, the Liberals would gladly live with that. The real story is that the Liberals are in such bad shape, the Conservatives are almost guaranteed a majority. You won't hear this from the pollsters or the media. So, what you have is the Conservatives governing with a minority, but being able to govern like a majority, all to the benefit of Canadians.
Disingenuous journalism at it's worst.


ScottS
said

There should be a procedure in parliament for voting non-confidence of the opposition. This would be a change. Ha! He should just call an election, and get it over with.


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