Ignatieff admits he has a 'lot of work to do'

Persichilli says the recent poll results indicate that the Liberal party is divided and weak because the party lacks trust. He says Ignatieff needs to stop talking about an election and needs a new strategy to regain unity.

CTV National News: Craig Oliver on the politics

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff seems to be suggesting he is not going to try and defeat the government for the time being. But does this mean Stephen Harper and the Tories are out of the woods?

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The Canadian Press

Date: Thu. Oct. 8 2009 1:05 PM ET

LONDON, Ont. — Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff concedes he has a "lot of work" to do in light of the latest poll suggesting party support is sinking.

Speaking in London, Ont., after a speech to the Chamber of Commerce, Ignatieff insisted he's the only viable alternative to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He says if Canadians want him to do better work, he is "ready to tackle this job."

The latest Strategic Counsel poll suggests the Conservatives are backed by 41 per cent of respondents compared with 28 per cent for the Liberals.

Ignatieff admitted his party is "taking some criticism" and pledged to improve his performance any way he can.

Liberal MP Ken Dryden said Wednesday, however, that polls change nothing, and the Liberals will continue to vote against the Harper Tories in the House of Commons on confidence matters.

The survey of 1,000 people Oct. 2-4, is considered accurate to within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Comments are now closed for this story

Sean Calder
said

Story: "Ignatieff admitted his party is "taking some criticism" and pledged to improve his performance any way he can." Read this to mean that Michael Ignatieff will say anything you want to hear until his numbers come up.

Pat in Sherwood Park
said

I'm glad he is finally applying some logic to his public statements because most of the rhetoric emanating from him and his fellow Liberals has been profoundly illogical for quite some time.

Dodge
said

What goes around comes around. If my memory serves me correctly, the Liberals did the same thing to Harper, so Iggy should not be doing too much complaining. Iggy has to face facts, the Liberals are in a rebuilding stage and it will take them 4 to 5 years to get back to where they were. I know all the Liberals on here will be screaming that it can't happen to their party, but in all of my 45 years involved in politics I have seen parties grow and dimish, it is part of the growing cycle . I would suggest the the Liberal supporters to wait your time as it will come and not to post nasty meesages on here as it does no one any good, It will not help your cause in any way only hurt it. Iggy is not the man you need right now as Dion was not, let the members elect a party leader and not crown one

Kyle
said

Why is every article Ignatieff this and that? He has clogged up news headlines for over a month. It is endless complaining about our current gov't with no clear stand on pretty much anything except for the fact that he doesn't like it. This man has offered no clear solution to what he figures are major problems to fix except for the fact that we are too trust "he can do better"? His numbers are sliding out of control in a bad direction with his own party losing faith in him worse than Dion and his own senate creating a riff on policies he approved.I didn't want an election but I am all for it now. What ever it takes to get this loudmouth to shut the hell up.

Rod (Calgary)
said

Does this mean that the Liberal Leader is finally ready to listen to Canadians and especially the 72% who have consistently told him and his party that we do not want another election?

Valerie
said

He now knows his party hasn't a "leg left to stand on". He will now stop spouting party rhetoric and start saying anything that he thinks the people want to hear.......especially how he could fix the global economy without raising taxes. Careful people what you believe. Every country in the world will be making the grass roots pay more. Liberals have always said they wouldn't raise taxes and then when they get in the tax becomes exorbitant. In 1981 is a good example. Study this first before you believe this man is full of regret and wonderful promises.

Pip
said

Mr ignatieff said ". . . if Canadians want him to do better work, he is "ready to tackle this job." Assuming he means the job of Prime Minister, he must, first, demonstrate to the people of Canada that he is able to unite his own party, and second actually win a general election. Given his performance on the first, it is not likely that the second will happen. If, on the other hand, he is referring to his position as leader of the Liberal party, I suspect that many of his own party would like him to do a better job than simply repeating the phrase "we will bring this government down" like some esoteric mantra that will magically make the Conservatives disappear in a puff of smoke.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said

It's called " Principles ". The Grits have them and their standing by them. This is the party that promised to call out the tories if they wern't acting in the best interests of Canada. They are doing their job. Jack Laytonon the other hand is slithering around looking for a safe lap to crawl up on. I guess " politics makes strange bedfellows " is appropriate in this case.

hatrock
said

So Iffy's got a lot of work to do, eh? Why, does he think the keys to 24 Sussex are easy to get? If you want to become Prime Minister, of course you gotta work for it, but I guess that's really never been in his cards.

Jon in London ON
said

Iggy says if Canadians want him to do better work, he is "ready to tackle this job." What if Canadians just want him to go away?Ready to tackle this job? Now? What has Iggy been doing for the past 9 months?

Nola
said

By the sound of his voice when he was making these statements of "doing better", it reveals that Ignatieff is feeling the stress of bad polls, one after another, which cannot be criticized as "outlier" polls any more. Ignatieff is not a stupid man, and I'm sure he will do the right thing in light of his failing leadership of the Liberal party. These disastrous poll can only be attributed to his leadership, and it's not enough to declare he will "do better". Iggy must take a long walk in the autumn leaves in Algonquin Park, alone, to determine if he should persist in his quest to be Canada's prime minister.

Wade Ens
said

Thos that can't do teach. Go back to harvard in the US with Bush.

John from Saskatoon
said

What a triumverate Michael Ignatieff, Marc Garneau & Ken Dryden I don't know where the Liberals find these people. I suppose Mike told his Senators to be sure and shoot down the tough on Crime Bill because most of there fund raisers are probablyy behind bars . Maybe they should go to Antarctica and take that over for a dry practice run of taking over Canada. Maybe they can put Lawn Signs up LIBERALS CLUELESS IN OTTAWA

ardybob
said

Sir, the only work you really need to do is go online and book a one way ticket back to wherever the heck you came from!!.

Craig
said

It sickens me every time I hear the Liberals state that they will continue to vote against the Conservative government at every opportunity.Shouldn't each issue be decided on it's own merits? These statements prove that the Liberals are in this simply to regain power, and not for the Canadian people as a whole.

Ian Ottawa
said

No S- - - Sherlock! Glad you noticed. Does that mean you'll lie, cheat and keep Canadian's hostage? Oh ya, you already did that. The best thing you can do is return to the US and let someone else from you're Party make more of a mess. PM Harper, keep up the good work. Those of us with military ties thank you for not cutting our numbers, budgets and much needed equipment.

Jim - North Saanich, BC
said

Hey, no kidding! Is Michael Ignatieff really coming to his senses? Did reality set in or perhaps his caucus and the LPC as a whole has had to bring him off of his academic pedestal and tell him the real, albeit sad, facts of life?I'd suggest Mr. Ignatieff actually stop talking for once, stop trying to bring down the current government and start doing something "real" PDQ or he's going to sink even further in the polls and his party right along with him. So far all I've heard are a lot of empty words and have not seen or heard anything of substance from him to date. As has oft been said, "Actions speak louder than words".For Ignatieff to have come to this "brilliant" recognition of the facts at this late date makes me wonder where his head really is or has been which then raises further questions about his suitability for leadership.

Cambob in toronto
said

December, 2008: ignatief signs the coalition agreement.January, 2009 Ignatieff declares he is not interested in a coalition.February, 2009 Ignatieff declares he would not support the government unless a major stimulus package was in the budget.March, 2009 Ignatieff delcares the government has given Canadians a massive budget and Canadians will suffer for it.May 2009 Ignetieff declares he deserves equal time as the Prime Minister with President Obama.June 2009 Ignatieff decries the governments appointments to the senate as "patronage" even though the appointments are required by law.July 2009 Ignatieff demands to know why Canadians do not have a vaccine for H1N1, glossing over the fact that a vaccine does not exist.August 2009 Ignatieff reveals a secretly taped video of the Prime Minister addressing supporters and complains that Mr. Harper doesn't like Liberals.September 2009 Ignatieff delcares he is ready to force an election based on his platform that "He is a better leader".October 2009 ignatieff declares "He has work to do.." to improve Liberal poll standings.Maybe Dion wasn't so bad after all?

Bunker: Halifax
said

It is nice to see a Federal leader actually say that he and his party are not perfect. It is nice to see that one of the Parties are human and not just autonomous robots.

Clouder
said

The Liberal Party may be soon facing its Waterloo moment in Canadian politics. How it responds will determine its demise or its rebirth.

Kevin in Vancouver
said

The Liberals are conspiring behind closed doors to remove Iggy from the helm. First it was Cordere in Quebec, remember the next party leader has to be from La Belle Province, followed a week later by a Liberal senate revolt, remember he asked for them to pass the crime bill unchanged, so Iggy's days are numbered which is good if you're a liberal supporter because the man could not have won. Just listen to his comment on the poll......I know people don't like me or want me but I'm their only choice... How pathetic! I know you ordered a steak but a burger will have to due.Good Bye Iggy thanks for playing!

TheOtherLowellInBC
said

To Pat. It is only illogical to Conservative supporters who want Harper to have a majority. Ignatieff's drop in popularity stems more from Conservative attack ads that what he says. I think there is still some residual association with Stephan as well which he has to overcome. There are pros and cons to attack ads. I think that Ignatieff should do more of that personally rather than always taking the high road. Harper is getting away with alot and not being honest with Canadian voters. The official opposition really has to do its job. Forget the lets be nice and work with the government. Their job is to hold the government's feet to the fire.

James Birchall
said

Mr. Ignatieff is doing what an opposition party should do. I give him credit for his passion for wanting to be Prime Minister.Nonetheless, he is going have a lot of work regaining the voter's trust when it comes to Election time.We need an effective opposition.

Dan
said

But his plan his to take down the government while he is doing this. This should be interesting... I would suspect that other members of the Liberal party better get in front of him and tell him what is going on. With the in-fighting in the Liberals there are only some sources he can trust to guide him right. Look at the Senators, (Bob Rae supporters). They are not following in Iggys foot steps. They are side swiping him. How long before the Liberal party will "ELECT" a new leader? You say you want to improve the Liberal party then step a side. Lead, Follow or get out of the way, but you can't do all at once.

Dan
said

A lot of work is an understatement.

Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
said

I agree with Sean. Ignatieff will say he will do this and then he will change his mind and do that! The Liberal Senators changed a crime bill that was passed by the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP. According to news reports the Senators who wanted the changes are reportedly supportersof Bob Rae. As I and others have asked before who is the leader of the Liberal party?? Would his name be Rae??What are you going to do about this Mr. Iignatieff?Show some leadership and GET your house/party in order or resign!

abes
said

New EKOS poll today with a much larger sampling confirms the numbers. Iggy is in a world of hurt right now.All I can say is keep up the good work!

SPENC
said

I have heard now for the last two years about this man's literary and intellectual prowess. I have read a few of his books to see if I can determine if this image has any substance. I can now say with a fair degree of confidence, because I am an academic working in a Canadian University Humanities department, that this man is no true academic. He may have been a decent lecturer and garnered for himself a bit of a following here and there on campus, but as a rigorous academic he falls far short of the mark. This is certainly true of his books, which are not scholarly! I wonder what his Dissertation was like? We have these popular profs on every campus and they are all style, no substance. Iggy's logic in his speeches and public pronouncements is non-existent. He looks good on paper but that is about it. How then can he be expected to make any changes of substance to a defunct political party?

Dan
said

I am sure there is more then just two people that would like to comment on this story. The comment DB seems to be blocked today.

Dan
said

Why is the same picture of Iggy with his fist so tight blood vessels in his arm are going to burst being used for multiple stories? Is it because ho looks tough? By the way, is that a picture of him in the house or in a Liberal meeting?

Rose
said

In the USA I hope . Go home iggy I am more Canadian then you are lived here 56 years of my life. We don't want to hear you fip flop again ! Dion was better .

Sober, Newmarket
said

"He says if Canadians want him to do better work, he is "ready to tackle this job." What if Canadians are happy with who is doing "the job?" The polls indicate that Iggy is not seriously considered for any job at this time.

Dan St. Pierre, Winnipeg
said

Ignatieff has more than alot of work to do, he has to make Canadians believe he actually cares about them. It is no secret he intends to leave the country and go back to Harvard if he doesn't win, so how much faith do Canadians put in this man? That's like saying to your employer you are going to quit if you don't get what you want. Your employer isn't going to put much effort into dealing with you if your attitude is that of a 6 year old child taking his ball home because he didn't get his way.Ultimately, I think an election now for the liberals will be disastrous. They have read the polls and are relieved the NDP are providing them cover. It's easy to make threats when you don't have to worry about the consequences of following through. Michael Ignatieff has failed as the leader of the Liberal Party.

Patricia
said

Stop threatening to force an election, first of all, Iggy. And don't act so phoney. I am right angry about Ignatieff's conduct over the past weeks. He is giving absolutely no information about what he would do if he ever became Prime Minister which leads me to believe he hasn't got a clue. And I am not a Conservative.

LOL
said

Ken Dryden needs to wake up and smell the roses. Should Harper engineer an election, and if I was him I would, both Dryden and Ignatieff will be without a seat in which to sit

charlie
said

Iggy is a well read and educated man; he is a professor; he is intelligent; he is polished; he is urbane. What he seems to totally lack is any sense of timing. Being as well read as he is, he must have read Shakespeare. Looking back over his performances (or flip-flops and miscues to be a bit more accurate) in the last several months, one Shakespeare quote keeps coming back to me."There is a tide in the affairs of men.Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.

"Sorry, Iggy, you missed the tide, the boat has sailed, and you are left at the end of the dock looking out to sea as the ship's lights fade into the night. I doubt that there is anything you can say or do now which will restore your chance at fortune. The longer you languish in Opposition, the more Canadians can see that you really do not have a clue - I am still waiting for that great economic PLAN - and are not the man in whom they should put their confidence. I wish you no ill as a person, but really, you should see the handwriting on the wall and seriously consider packing it in - for your own good and that of your Party. I am sure Bob Rae shares this opinion, by the way.

Citizen
said

If he is willing to admit he has a lot of work to do and he is willing to work on it, then it seems contrary to me to insist the Liberals will continue to press for an election which is why many Canadians are angry. That's not working on anything, that is looking for power and if that is all he is after he will never be Prime Minister.

Dan
said

Iggy's nic names are growing. I have seen Iggy, Iffy, and Lefty. All are very suitable for certain personalities. "Iggy" The strong liberal minded fearless leader. "Iffy" Flip Flop. and "Lefty" so far left he can't even see center. I would like to add one more "i", "I can", "I can't", "I will, "I will not" "I might", "I might not". But best one for me is still "Iggy" it sounds like it is from a fairy tale. Maybe if Iggy closes his eyes and taps his heals together three times and repeat: "I know I can" "I know I can", "I know I can" he may wake up and really be in charge of the Liberals. If this does not work the first time, keep trying.

General Query
said

have not been on this site for quite some time now....i see CTV has removed the thumbs up/down can anyone tell me why??Regarding the article, can anyone tell me how the liberals actually differ from the tories? Further are they relevant anymore?

Grant
said

How does the Liberal partry reconcile sense trying to take down the government, no matter what., with all the turmoil within the Liberal party? How can they reasonably believe that they are strong enough to lead this country when they can't even lead themselves? Either they don't know better because they are incapable, or they don't care. Either way, that is utterly irresponsible and that is only one reason why they don't deserve to be the governing party. Grant - Sudbury Ontario

O-really?
said

Sometimes I think the subtitles under Iggy should read: I didn't move here to be the understudy. It's about me people, can't you figure that out?

Tim Riediger
said

I don't see how a survey of 1000 people is an accurate indicator of support for any party. I think its going to be a close one when the next election happens. There is a reason we have a minority. Its called democracy. The best thing to do next time is get out and vote if you didnt before. Think about issues important to you. Its easy to bash any party over certain isues. No matter who you vote for I think we need less government intervention in are daily lives. Sometimes we get caught up in so many issues that are minor we dont take in the big picture.

Fred - Brandon MB
said

I would like to say that Ignatieff is a master of the obvious, but he's not.He should have clued in weeks ago that he was in trouble. "Lots of work to do"? I think that it's almost too late for that.It's time to schedule a new leadership convention.

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