Echo CanaDION

Our Anniversary / Notre anniversaire

2007-12-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

Some memories from the youth delegates. Certains souvenirs de les jeunes délégués...

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My favorite moment at a convention occured when Gerard Kennedy gave his speech rallying the troups to support our leader Stéphane Dion. We were all sad that our hard work hadn't left us on top but we were so proud of Gerard.

Nous avons tous marche avec Gerard à M. Dion. C'était un temp d'unité et inspiration pour moi.

I will never forget the hugs, the smiles and the friends I made during that walk.

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"I have two favourite convention moments. The first was Paul Martin's speech. It summed up what I thought was one of the most progressive, forward thinking governments, but was cut. Mr. Martin embarked on a very promising path - the Kelowna and Kyoto accords, a New Deal for cities, renewed federalism, same-sex marriage, a greater emphasis on Western Canada - and reminded us all that even though he was stepping down the responsibility rested on everyone else in the room to fulfill his governments mandate.

"The second, was Jean Chretien's speech. 'As you sit at home Mr. Harper, do not adjust your TV set. What you are seeing is real,' and 'Stephen. May I call you Steve, like your friend George Bush'."

- Zac Spicer

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"What I remember most from Convention are the people. After months of organization by phone, e-mail, and internet, Convention finally gave everyone the chance to work face-to-face. For me, this meant getting to meet wonderful people like Delia Greco (pictured here).

The moment that stands out most to me was the third ballot. Seeing Rae drop, and knowing that we stood a great chance of winning on the next
ballot, was a mix of elation and sadness. My great friend, Richard Zussman, had poured his heart into the Rae campaign and was now in the
unenviable position of having to deal with great disappointment and rally his troops at the same time. Nonetheless, he picked himself up, got organized, and worked hard right up to the last vote.

Once the forth ballot came in, we knew that a page had truly been turned in the history of the Liberal Party. We've had our bumps over the last year, but nothing great ever comes easy."

- Ian Anderson

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I spent a good 8 months working on Michael Ignatieff's campaign. From going to his events in the summer, to doing blog monitoring in the fall and organizing in Northern Ontario. I spent an entire week in Montreal getting there before the convention even started. I
think I worked harder that week than I have in anything I ever have. I really believed in Michael and did anything they asked, whether that meant unloading trucks, handing out t-shirts, talking to other delegates or taking part in rallies. It was kind of a frustrating week and I felt all my hard work was going unappreciated.

I still stuck it out because I really wanted Michael to win, even though I felt unnoticed. At the party after Michael lost, I was really disappointed. I went up to him to tell him I was proud to work for him. He told me that he wasn't good with names, but he recognized my face and that he knew I had been with him for a long time and that I worked really hard. I don't know if he really meant it, but after a long week of feeling unappreciated, the fact that Michael would make that kind of gesture with everything I'm sure he was feeling after losing the leadership race really made my convention.

- Justin Tetreault

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"My favourite convention moment was gathering youth delegates from all camps to put on MHF shirts and cheer for her as she finished casting her first ballot. I wasn't a Findlay delegate, but nobody deserved a packed post-vote scrum more than she. As she lead us down one escalator, my candidate was on the one beside me heading up. Without flinching, he smiled at me, reached out for my hand, and then gave me a pat on the back as he continued up one escalator and I continued down the other.

"Je ne savais pas qui allait gagner à la fin. J' était fatigués et avec beaucoup de stress. Cette semaine a été difficile et parfois je voulais arrêter tout et sortie le Palais. Mais à ce moment-là, j'ai rappelé une leçon très importante à mes parents m'ont appris...

"Winning isn't everything -it's being a team player that counts."

- Denise Brunsdon

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"What is it with political conventions and sushi? I love Japanese food as much as the next guy, but seven straight meals of rice, rolls, seaweed, spicy tuna and octopus? The sake wasn't bad, though...better than Red Bull! It got me through many a long night huddled over my laptop, tracking delegates.

Un gros merci au gentil bonhomme qui a inventé le Tide-to-Go. La sauce soja...mon ennemi mortel!"

- John Lennard

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Congratulations / Félicitations

2007-11-21T07:51:00.000-08:00

à Danielle Takacs!

LPCO AGM

2007-11-21T07:44:00.001-08:00

Conservatives and the death penalty

2007-11-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

The Conservative government has decided to abandon Ronald Smith, a Canadian citizen, in his fight against a U.S. death sentence in the state of Montana. Though what he did was wrong, Mr. Smith deserves the support of the Canadian government, his most significant ally.

How does our treatment of Mr. Smith compare to our treatment of U.S. citizens in similar situations? Canadian law prohibits extradition of a U.S. citizen to an U.S. state in which they will face the death penalty. Why does the Conservative government apply a lesser standard to Canadians in the same position?

The reason is simple. The Conservative government wants to send a strong message to Canadians: if you commit a crime in the United States and you face the death penalty, don’t expect any help from Canada. Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day was clear on this point: “We want to preserve public safety here in Canada and that is our position.”

While we may not have the final say on his fate, we do have the power and the responsibility to express Canada’s principles. Canadian foreign policy should be a reflection of Canadian domestic policy, not U.S. domestic policy. We don’t execute people, and we should fight to protect our citizens who face that fate, no matter what they’ve done.

Canadians deserve better. They deserve a government that will stand up for them, through thick and thin, because they are Canadian.

Not okay

2007-11-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

"This government, by stealth, is changing that long-standing policy to Canada to protect Canadians against the death-penalty abroad. You have a wholesale change of law to capital punishment without any debate whatsoever in Parliament." - Ujjal Dosanjh

Persons Day / Journée de l'affaire « Personnes »

2007-10-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

Merci à Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney et tous les autres féministes de la génération pour leur travail.

But let us never forget, as Mary Ellen Smith said, "The iron dropped into the souls of women in Canada when we heard that it took a man to decree that his mother was not a person."

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/famous5/053002_e.html
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/celebres5/053002_f.html

Bonne fête M. Dion!

2007-09-28T12:17:00.001-07:00

L'hon Paul Martin avec les Jeunes libéraux

2007-09-28T05:33:00.000-07:00

Ballin' at the Laurier Club event in Toronto!

A Party's party parting

2007-09-24T06:32:00.001-07:00

The last summer student has officially gone back to school.

And although my heart is upset, my liver is relieved.

Looking back upon the summer, I have to say I’ve learned a lot from what I’ve done, from what I’ve seen, and from those with whom I did and saw those things.

I have learned that although St. John New Brunswick may be a beautiful city, one should not get a chance to find this out if driving from Halifax to Quebec City efficiently.

I have learned that Saskatchewan canola fields are a big deal if you haven’t grown up with them.

I have learned that North Bay and Montreal pubs share a common commitment to excellence in patron-oriented partying and laissez-faire dance floor policies that the rest of this country, sadly, lacks.

And I have learned that working for something you believe in, even if as seemingly inconsequential as a summer student program, is consequential. To spend a summer in Ottawa, with its unique opportunities, activities, and atmosphere, is an amazing experience. Moreover, to spend a summer growing and learning with an outstanding collection of earnest and dedicated Liberals will leave you with memories not to be forgotten.

To Elyse, Jay, Justin, Carlene, Dylan, Kelly, Meghan, Mary-Rose, Oz, Ian, and Colin, thank you.

And more importantly, to your fantastic bosses:

The Hon. Paul Martin, Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Jamie Carroll, Andrew Telegdi, Hon. Mauril Bélanger, LRB, Senator Eggleton, Hon. Ken Dryden, Senator Hervieux-Payette, and Senator Jim Cowan,

UN GROS MERCI!

-db

Quebec Elections on Monday, volunteer today!

2007-09-12T12:51:00.001-07:00

We had a great time helping out last week, and e-day is sure to be even more exciting. Email dbrunsdon@liberal.ca to join in a caravan from Toronto, Ottawa, or anywhere inbetween.

Recruitment Package Packing Party!

2007-09-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

lancement officiel bientôt...

Guess who's coming to breakfast?

2007-08-29T11:35:00.001-07:00

This week Liberal Leader Stephane Dion sat down with the Young Liberal Summer Students in the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition. Over breakfast he thanked us for our months of service to the Liberal Party around Ottawa and discussed matters of importance such as the ageing population and post secondary education.

“He welcomed us and our ideas, and spent a great deal of time just listening” said Ozren Jungic from Vancouver B.C. “Dion recognizes youths’ ability to tell it like it is; and he was very accepting of that.”

Stephane took the time to lay out some of his thoughts on different ways of addressing post secondary education tuition. “He has put a lot of thought into the various combinations of possible actions” Said Meghan Pritchard who is studying abroad in Geneva at the Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes Internationales, “together we went over all the options and offered our input and tried to flesh out the best solution.”

Wow. Talk about the emporer having no clothes.

2007-08-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

What were they thinking?

Dion-Top of the World

2007-08-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

La rencontre avec Stéphane Dion était une expérience de laquelle je me rappellerais pour longtemps. As a first-timer at the OYL’s Summer Fling at Nipissing University in North Bay Ontario, I was impressed by how welcome everyone made me feel. Stephane came in and greeted us as friends; he took the time to listen to our concerns. J’étais tellement impressionné avec le respect et la considération qu’il a donné a chaque question de notre groupe. His inspiring speech was a refreshing change from the rhetoric of the Harper government. A la fin de la journée, je savais exactement pourquoi je suis Liberal!

Once we were done with the day’s activities the group went to North Bay’s waterfront to celebrate with a cruise on Lake Nipissing. Awards were announced and I was thrilled when my riding club of Toronto Centre Federal was awarded Best Riding Club of the Year and its president, Chris Drew, was awarded as Best President of the Year, the awards solidified the sense of camaraderie between all of us. We are all excited to deliver a victory for Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party of Canada by getting Bob Rae elected in Toronto Centre in the upcoming by-elections.

Aaron GlynWilliams- Toronto Centre

Dion’s pledge motivates young women

2007-08-15T09:28:00.001-07:00

“Stephane Dion’s pledge to have at least 1/3 female candidates in the next federal election has inspired women across the country to become strong Liberal candidates” said Caitlin Townsend VP- Youth of the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission. “The importance of female participation in politics just became that much more important as Steven Harper has cut yet another woman out of cabinet.” It is for this reason that Townsend co-founded the Ontario Women’s Issues Committee (OWIC). The Young Women’s Issue Committee will have four major tenets: Young Women’s Policy, Community Outreach, Networking, and Mentorship.

Building on the vision of Stephane Dion, this committee and its federal counterpart hope to create a formal mentorship program with federal and provincial female caucus members across the country for young women who show interest in running as Liberal candidates in the future. “A Young Liberal Women’s mentorship program will help give young women the tools that they need to succeed in aspiring to become elected officials.” said Townsend this weekend at the official launch of the WIC at Nipissing University in North Bay Ontario.

To get involved in OYL Women’s Issues Committee contact Caitlin Townsend at kate_townsend@hotmail.com or to get involved in the National Young Liberal Women’s Association contact Denise Brunsdon at dbrunsdon@liberal.ca

Another one bites the dust

2007-08-14T13:57:00.002-07:00

Just when you thought Stephen Harper couldn't care less about women's equality, it turns out he can! With a cabinet shuffle that booted one woman out, he's but a few more steps away from "Boys only" cabinet meetings. Just like elementary school, except with longer recesses.

db

Summer Fling in North Bay

2007-08-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend the OYL held its 7th annual Summer Fling in North Bay Ontario. It was a great time and we had the distinct pleasure of being joined by our Leader Stephane Dion. The local media ate it up, check out these links below.

Here, here and here

Also, enjoy some of the highlights with this photo essay

Melissa, Elyse, Meghan, Mary-Rose and Matt on the boat cruise

Stephane Dion and Anthony Rota take questions

Ahoy there. Welcome to the Chief Commander

En Route to North Bay we celebrated Paul Martin Dr

Mike, Claire and Chike on Lake Nippising

Ian, Matt, Meghan,Kelly, Kate & Denise at Cecil's in down town North Bay

The local MP Anthony Rota at opening ceremonies

Harper snubs another Premier...

2007-08-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

Stephen Harper came to the NWT for a three day visit...and failed to notify anyone but his riding association. Paranoid secrecy? Check. Disregarding regional leaders and politicians? Check. Half hearted environmental protection? Hey, he's three for three.

"Dion stayed. And fought."

2007-08-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for an excuse to post this photo again, and then along came this article.

My fave line is, "Dion stayed. And fought. To any Conservative (or Liberal) who thinks this guy isn't tough enough to be prime minister, maybe you'd better think again."

Conservatives best wake up
The Winnipeg Sun, The Toronto Sun
Lorrie goldstein

The more I learn about Stephane Dion, the more I think it would be dumb of the Conservatives to underestimate him.

I know, according to the punditocracy, the federal Liberal leader is a dud-man-walking.

But they also told us Stephen Harper was a dud and Paul Martin was dynamite.

Oops.

Two books suggest why Dion could be a serious threat in the next election.

The easier read is Linda Diebel's Stephane Dion, Against the Current, published earlier this year.

The tougher but more eye-opening one is 1999's Straight Talk -- a collection of Dion's speeches and writings when he was Canada's unity minister, following the near-disaster of the 1995 Quebec referendum.

Reading these pieces, you quickly discover that Dion is, like Harper, scary smart.

His speeches, letters and essays -- most given when he first entered Jean Chretien's cabinet on the advice of Chretien's wife, Aline -- literally demolish the separatists' arguments.

No wonder they hate him. He's smarter than they are. More>>

Atlantic Caucus: More than meets the eye

2007-08-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

We've arrived in the fantastic city that is Moncton in search of Magnetic Hill. A phenomenon we were later told by a disgruntled Moncton Tourism employee (before attempting the hill itself) that is just an optical illusion. Talk about ruining the awe factor. Despite the authority that is the disgruntled employee, we plan to wikipedia this immediately upon arrival to Halifax for details, as we are sure that wiki is in fact the repository of all human knowledge.

There's a killer boardwalk at Magnetic Hill, on what looks like a large muddy puddle with beavertails and everything.... We might actually get a chance to eat something other than tim hortons which seems to be the roadtrip staple this week

The whole magnetic hill theme park thing is pretty cool...we just finished that and now we're driving across a covered bridge. We're buying into every touristy thing we can find here, I mean 5 bucks to stick a car in neutral and roll up/down a hill? Elyse just attempted her moose call in the magnetic hill zoo so I'm slightly worried about some sort of animal rampage so I'd better go...

Here's to hoping we don't get mauled by some rogue wildlife...

Kelly-Anne

Boy Van Vs. Girl Van

2007-07-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

Day two of the Atlantic caucus roadtrip palooza is off to a roaring start.

The boys' van is on a mission: get to Halifax, and the beach. We're having a great time in the process, though our trip seems to be much akin to the Tim Horton's commercial, where the characters stop no where but Timmy's.

Our dedication to the mission at hand is hampered by our slow cousin - a second van carrying the amazonian delegation to Atlantic Caucus. Taking a break from their tireless blog post write-a-thon in order to locate a desparately needed ATM machine and practice their "suck it" motioning and stomach punching, the occupants of the Van of the Valkeries, and their hapless vict...err... driver Jay "no water before bedtime" Telegdi have taken to unleashing their karate-riffic fists of fury - lethal weapons actually - on the unsuspecting New Brunswickers on the Transcanada east... One only hopes they gave warning first.

More on this timeless "odd couple" struggle between male vigilance, and female scattered disorganization once we get to Halifax.

All that we can say so far is this: the double XX chromosome contingent of our caravan simply didn't get it done.

Dylan Stogran- Ottawa Orleans

En chemin .... (Atlantic Caucus Diary Entry 1)

2007-07-26T18:07:00.001-07:00

C'est jeudi matin et nous venons de commencer notre voyage de 15 heures à Halifax - nous sommes dix en tout dans deux camionettes. Nous arriverons bientôt à la ville du Québec et jusqu'à maintenant les blessés et les morts incluent seulement 1 oiseau, et 2 Blackberrys - mais on verra comment la voyage se déroulera....

Ça fait seulement trois heures et déja j'ai réussi à lire tous les revues People et Us Weekly que j'ai apporté. Heureuse à vous dire que je suis complètement informée sur les actualités au sujet de Lindsay Lohan, ainsi que le progrès du divorce de Britney. Je vous le jure, c'est vraiment un temps de fun fou ici.

Je vous promets tous que la fin de semaine deviendra beacoup plus intéressante bientôt donc revenez ici souvent pour des mises à jour non seulement sur les événements importants à Atlantic Caucus mais aussi sur le status de ma santé mentale.

- Carlene

Cause to celebrate

2007-07-25T10:31:00.001-07:00

On Friday, July 20th, Liberals young and old gathered at the active nightlife destination, the Caprice. Tiffany Glover, a Vancouver Quadra dedicated Young Liberal, celebrated her birthday with an enjoyable combination of ingenuity and generosity. The reason was as Tiffany said, “It's my birthday and there's a by-election in the air: this is "A Reason to Celebrate"! Tiffany worked hard to promote the fundraising birthday party and posted the following message on facebook.com
“The recent announcement of a possible by-election in my riding has inspired me to try something new. Instead of giving out goodie bags at the end of the party as was tradition when I was young, all of the money raised from ticket sales will be donated to Joyce Murray's campaign to keep Vancouver-Quadra a Liberal riding.”
The hard work clearly paid off when $250.00 was raised for the Joyce Murray campaign. We want to congratulate Tiffany on an excellent idea, the hard work of following it through, and a very happy belated birthday.

Cano-lotta Fun

2007-07-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Never having been to the prairies I didn’t quite know what to expect, I’ve seen “Corner Gas” and “Little mosque on the prairies” but I still didn’t know what I was getting into. So when I travelled to Lake Diefenbaker Saskatchewan I was amazed by everything from the long and hazy highways to the neon yellow canola fields.

I learned a lot about prairie life and what it was like. As I sat on the porch overlooking Waka lake, watching the sky that CBC has been hailing, I listened to a man speak about his distrust for the government and that he would never vote Conservative again because of their handling of the Afghanistan issue. He said “that’s a deal breaker.” He asked how we Liberals were faring and if we were going to fix the mess that’s been happening of late. I offered my best and said that it was largely up to him and people like him to make that change on Election Day. So I think that I won over at least one person over the weekend.

Jay Telegdi- Bradford-West Gwilimbury, Ont.

Ontario Experiences Camp Wanna Be Free

2007-07-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Although disappointed after hearing from a lifer that highway bison sightings were a rarity, our time in the "friendly province" was overall quite good. Winnipeg airport was a breath of fresh air after experiencing the early morning rush at Pearson (6.30 is an ungodly hour).

Who knew that vast yellow fields were canola? We didn't. That's why we stopped just outside of Winnipeg to take some glamour shots in a bright yellow field and investigate this oddity. We were informed by a nice local about the crop we were standing in, who gave the trademark "friendly Manitoba" smile after learning we were from Ontario. He was only about a kilometer down the road when an unmentioned member of the Ontario team stripped down past his unmentionables to streak through the canola.

The PT Cruiser is a car designed for baby boomers cruising down the strip reminiscing about their earlier years, a fact that we learned first hand. It is not a car designed to travel Highway 16, the one lane “new Trans-Canada” highway from Winnipeg to Saskatoon rife with tractors, RVs and generally slow-moving, lane hogging vehicles. Passing required accelerating from a few kilometers back, but nevertheless we made it to Saskatoon in reasonable time.

Camp Wanna Be Free was everything and nothing like I expected. As an Ontario Summer Fling regular I was used to regimented weekends with pulling and politicking – capped off with a generous dose of hospitality each night. At CWBF things seemed to meld together; fun, politics, sessions and beach time were indistinguishable but it worked. Overall CWBF was a great experience, one that I hope to experience annually!

-Kevin

Down South America Way

2007-07-18T08:10:00.001-07:00

(Mackaycartoons.net)

"We are not going to say, 'Fix all your social, political and human-rights problems and only then will we engage in trade relations with you,' " Mr. Harper said at a joint news conference with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. "That's a ridiculous position."

For the complete article check out:

Rubbing elbows with Dion

2007-07-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

As a thank you for doing two days of phonebanking, the Ottawa Summer Students got to rub elbows last night at District 89 with Stephane Dion and many of the former leadership contestants last night. In attendance were Scott Brison, Bob Rae, Maurizio Bevilaqua, Martha Hall Findlay, Carolyn Bennett, Hedy Fry, Gerard Kennedy.

It was a good time, for a good cause with all money raised going toward paying off leadership debts.

With 2 similar events coming up next week in Scarborough and Mississauga, those in the GTA region will have the chance to do the same.

For more information visit the Liberal Party website. To buy tickets contact Diane Mitchell at(416) 921-2844 ex 341 or dmitchell@liberal.ca

2007-07-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

I was recently out in Saskatoon, taking a French immersion course at the University of Saskatchewan. It was very interesting to see how there is a good Francophone community in Saskatoon and in Saskatchewan in general. It was great to see that most were fellow Liberals who were quite pleased with previous' Liberal governments' decisions to support Francophone communities outside of Quebec, and this support from Liberal governments has made it easier to keep their language and culture.

What was also interesting was to meet the general public in Saskatchewan who were extremely upset at PM Harper breaking his election promises on the Federal equalization payments towards the province. It was very evident in our talks with everyone that many will aggressively campaign against Mr. Harper in the upcoming election. Another issue that agitated many in the province was the income trust promise. Now most of us don't think of income trusts and investments when it comes to Saskatchewan, but because of former Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, haling from Regina, the issue is close to home. Many seeing how Mr. Goodale's integrity was viciously attacked by Mr. Harper and others, and then Mr. Harper himself breaking his promise, they saw that as something too big to allow to just pass by. Mr Goodale is a legend in Saskatchewan and is well known for his integrity and ethics throughout the province and of course throughout the country.

Overall, it was great to see fellow Liberals in Saskatoon and have many different discussions with them on multiple issues that affected Saskatchewan and the Country as a whole.

Husain- Mississauga

Presentation- 7/7/07

2007-07-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was fortunate enough to represent the young liberals at the National Women's Commission training day in Kirkland, Quebec. It was a great experience for me and I had a great time speaking with the female Quebec candidates about new media. During the presentation Mme. Krieber helped out by commenting on Blogs and facebook. She mentioned to the group of candidates to check out her favourite blogger, Jason Cherniak. J'étais vraiment heureuse quand beaucoup des candidates en mentioner qu'elles ont vu les ad Libérale, "Liberal vs. Conservative," Elles étaient vraiment fier du travail que nous, les jeunes libéraux, faisons chaque jour. It was a great experience for me and as a young woman in politics I am looking forward to working with this organization in the future.

Phonebank Marathon

2007-07-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

Watch out Conservatives! The Young Liberals had a very successful evening of phonebanking yesterday for an upcoming event.

My Summer in Ottawa

2007-07-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

For the past 3 weeks, I have had the opportunity to work on Parliament Hill as part of the Liberal Summer Internship Program and it has been amazing.

Being from Sault Ste. Marie and only having been to Ottawa for a few days at a time, I really didn't know what to expect of the city or the atmosphere on the Hill. I can honestly say that everybody I have met has been great and the experiences have been really fun.

During the past 2 summers, I had interned in Toronto at Queen's Park and while I really enjoyed my time there, Parliament Hill is a totally different atmosphere. One reason for that is because Queen's Park Liberals form the government, while Ottawa Liberals form the opposition. Because we are in opposition and there are fewer interns and fewer staffers, it feels more tight-knit and everyone genuinely has a good time together and from a work standpoint, it feels like everything that I do is important to winning the next election.

My time in Ottawa so far has been one great time after another. From socials at D'Arcy McGees, to parties at Stornoway, to my first Canada Day on the Hill, this has been a summer to remember. With 2 months left, I can't wait to see what else happens.

=(

2007-07-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

Women's organizations cut staff in wake of Conservative funding guideline changes (EN) (FR). Je n'oublierai pas la prochaine fois que je...

Hamilton Youth "Take Back Canada"

2007-07-03T07:36:00.001-07:00

The Hamilton Young Liberals started Canada Day by going to the heart of Tory country, the rural area's of our riding. We marched with our candidate, Arlene MacFarland Vanderbeek, in the Lynden Canada Day Parade. Expecting to find a frosty reception, we found the town lining the roads welcoming us to their community.

"Harper lied about income trusts," one resident told me. "I'm not going to get fooled again. You've got my vote next time around".

"We need to get serious about cleaning up the environment," another resident told me.

"We shouldn't be in Afghanistan anymore," another person said.

We finally knew that we had made an impact when a older gentleman yelled from the sides of the parade route, "Go Grits!".

Young Liberals of Canada - Toronto TakeBackCanada.ca launch!

2007-07-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

Canada Day with Toronto's Chinese community and the youth of Canada's party with the Honourable Tony Ianno. Hundred's of TakeBackCanada.ca water bottles were handed out along with pins, stickers, Canadian flags and the facts on Harper!

NS Young Liberals Take Back Canada on the Halifax Waterfront

2007-07-01T13:12:00.001-07:00

Amongst the crowds of tourists and native Haligonians, the Nova Scotia Young Liberals found great support for the takebackcanada.ca campaign. Within no time at all, people were seeking out the buttons and stickers, asking questions about the campaign's origins and how they could help give Harper the boot.

If ever there was doubt that Nova Scotians feel betrayed by Stephen Harper, it was wiped away today with the incredible support and interest for the Young Liberal initiative.

Below are some pictures. Enjoy!

Colin Hebb
President, Nova Scotia Young Liberals

Young Liberals Take Back Canada in Ottawa

2007-07-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

The Take Back Canada campaign was a huge success in Ottawa this afternoon. A dozen Young Liberals took part and handed out water, pins, and flags. If you haven't seen the website yet, check it out at http://www.ylc-jlc.ca/takeback/

2007-06-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

It’s a Canadian Day of Action

By: Cory Pike, Young Liberals of Canada President and Darcy Diachinsky Young Liberals of Canada Representative to the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission

The National Aboriginal Day of Action is not just a protest. It’s much more than that. And it’s not about anger, it’s not about resentment. It’s about fairness. It’s about hope. It’s about ensuring that our Aboriginal Peoples are able to take their rightful place as equals in our society.

The Canadian record on the treatment of our Aboriginal Peoples has been, and remains, dismal. Consider the horrors of children forcibly removed from their families and sent to residential schools; outlawing aspects of Aboriginal culture by our criminal law; or even denying Aboriginals the right to vote until 1960.

As a member of the G-8, Canada is considered an immensely successful nation. Yet, today, over 56% of Aboriginals live in poverty. Yet, today, Aboriginal Peoples don’t have access to adequate healthcare and education services. Yet, today, there are some places where Aboriginal Peoples don’t even have access to clean drinking water!

This is unacceptable for a G-8 country. This is unacceptable for Canada.

Nonetheless, after decades of neglect, of promises and promise-breaking, there was the Kelowna Accord. It was our first best hope of addressing all of the wrongs of the past and building a brighter future. The federal government, the provinces, and our Aboriginal organizations had all come together and broken the age-old barriers of discord and mistrust. The wellbeing of our Aboriginal Peoples was finally, once and for all, going to be addressed in a meaningful and tangible way.

Then, in a flash—it was gone. Jack Layton and Stephen Harper took it away.

Layton, because he cared more about getting a couple more seats in the House of Commons, forced an election before the Kelowna Accord had a chance to be implemented. Stephen Harper, because he has no real understanding for what the Kelowna Accord truly sought to achieve, cancelled it. He decided snuffing out a Liberal policy was more important than assessing it’s huge potential.

Well, enough is enough. It is time we fixed these problems. And it’s time to make sure the current Government knows we want them fixed. All Canadians deserve fairness, and that is what the Day of Action is all about. It is a National Day of Action, a Canadian Day of Action. And that is why the Young Liberals of Canada will be marching in support.

Cory Pike
President, Young Liberals of Canada

Darcy Diachinsky
Young Liberals of Canada Representative to the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission

For further information, contact: Cory Pike, Young Liberals of Canada President
cpike@liberal.ca

Captain Planet: He's Our Hero!

2007-06-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Our very own Stephane Dion was named one of the top 15 environmentally friendly politicians in the world today by the award-winning independent online environmental magazine Grist.

Congrats to Stephane. Check out this link to read more.

We're painting the town blue this Canada Day

2007-06-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

The colour scheme for July 1 festivities on Parliament Hill this year sure is interesting.

It would appear that the stage and media booth are both blue. Maybe it's always been like this... or maybe not.

2007-06-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's now been one week of working on the Hill, and it's been a good one.

But life in Ottawa actually got started the week before when I arrived
in town to settle in. Whether it was a garden party at Stornaway or a
going-away party for MPs Gerald Keddy and Peter Mackay (with lobster
hats for all), I could already detect an auspicious air of festivity
and productivity. I've got a good feeling about our Liberal Party...

The work week began with my introduction to the team at Senator
Hervieux-Payette's office (for whom I am so fortunate to work). It's a
dynamic and inspired team (but maybe everyone was just excited that
we'd reached the end of the Senate's session :) . I have several
projects that I've already begun with more to come. It's a great
feeling to know that you: 1) love the work you do; and 2) know that
it's making a difference for many people. I'm one lucky duck.

The highlight of the week would have to be playing baseball with Ken
Dryden and friends. Yes, you read correctly, baseball not hockey.
After the House's final sitting, a couple staffer friends (the always
sporting Richard Zussman and Mary-Rose Brown) and I were playing whiffle ball on the lawn of the Hill when House of Commons/hockey legend Ken Dryden
showed up to hit a few balls. Maybe it was the accumulated tension from a tumultuous Conservative-led 39th session that accounted for Mr.Dryden's need to vent because he put some serious mustard into those swings. Those whiffle balls never saw it coming...

Ian Anderson
Ottawa via Montreal

Chronicles of a Summer Student

2007-06-22T15:23:00.001-07:00

My summer has been unbelievable so far. I’ve learned all kinds of skills by working with (I may be bias) the best boss ever, Hon. Dominic Leblanc. However, it’s not just the skills that I’m learning that has made this summer awesome, it’s the great experiences I have been having with the other summer students that have made this an awesome summer. The summer students have been having a great time working hard and learning tons. It’s not all work and no play though. After work we often get the opportunity to go to awesome events.
On Wednesday, All of the summer students attended a rally at Foundation with special guest, our leader, Stephane Dion. His speech was inspirational and really got us all pumped for the rest of the summer. Behind him was a team of almost 40 Members of Parliament who also seemed inspired by what our leader had to say. Mr. Dion joked that the conservatives don’t really want to be in power and that we must do them a favour by voting them out in the next election. The crowd seemed to agree as his joke received a thunderous applause.

elyse

Life in the Past Lane

2007-06-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

It's sure to make you lose your mind.

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Hilarious Cartoons

2007-06-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Great Stuff.. have a laugh

accordnoless.ca is launched

2007-06-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

Check this out. Don't mess with NS!

Accord, No Less

2007-06-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Keddy and Mackay sold out Nova Scotia, Young Liberals charge

For Immediate Release
June 11, 2007

HALIFAX, NS - The Young Liberals are targeting Gerald “Unsteady” Keddy and Peter “Disarray” Mackay for their betrayal of the Atlantic Accord, following their anti-Nova Scotia budget vote.

The youth's aggressive public awareness campaign, titled "accord, no less," includes a facebook campaign, buttons, an online petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/nsaccord/petition.html) and a website in development.

“We have eleven MPs in Ottawa and yet only nine of them stood up for this province," said Nova Scotia Young Liberal President and Bridgewater native Colin Hebb. "Keddy and Mackay have a lot of explaining to do."

It has been estimated that the loss of the Accord could mean up to a billion dollars less for the province, leaving many Nova Scotians to question the allegiances of Keddy and Mackay.

“Our province is not rich and the loss of a billion dollars in potential revenue means less money to improve access for all to post-secondary education, less money to help make Nova Scotia a more attractive place to live and work, less money for our future,” said NSYL VP Federal and Sydney native Jenna McGrath.

The “accord, no less” campaign will roll-out over the next week and will provide opportunity for Nova Scotians to rally and put pressure on the two Conservative MPs that continue to support the government’s betrayal.

“It’s about accountability,” says Hebb, “if they want to choose their party membership over their constituents, then they will have to answer for that. We refuse to stand idly by and see our province treated with such disrespect.”

-30-

For more information contact:
Colin Hebb
(902) 476 1307
colin.hebb@gmail.com

Scientific studies show clever political ads do exist

2007-05-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

In the wake of the less-than-stellar Connie ads, the Young Liberals of Canada have launched their own e-advertising campaign. It's witty, something one doesn't often see on tv or in politics. Bonne travail JLC!

Mo info...

May 30, 2007
For Immediate Release

Young Liberals launch ad campaign
’Sure Cons have money, but we’ve got creativity and Facebook’ developer says

Ottawa -- The Young Liberals of Canada have launched a multi-series English advertising campaign targeted specifically to the internet.

Following a Liberal Party member’s concept suggestion to the Liberal Party website, Youth National Director Scott Pickup spearheaded the idea’s implementation. The Young Liberals wanted to try something outside the mainstream.

“Look, it’s no secret the Conservatives are a wealthy party who can afford all kinds of fancy marketing executives and focus groups,” admits Pickup, “but within the Liberal family we’ve got talent, we’ve got dedication, and we’ve got a clear vision for Canada of which we’re proud.”

The three parody ads will be promoted through a multi-pronged approach that utilizes youngliberal.ca, Facebook, youtube.com, instant-messenger programs, and bloggers. This cohesive online campaign provides an opportunity for members and supporters to disseminate and share their messages quickly and affordably.

“The internet isn’t a magical playground in a computer,” says Youth Campaign Director and Online Campaign Co-chair Denise Brunsdon. “This is another layer of social interaction, and a far cheaper method of communication than t.v. and radio.”

“Our commission has always worked on a shoestring budget. I’m constantly impressed by what a few smart Liberals can accomplish when we put their heads together,” agreed Young Liberal President Cory Pike.

The ads can be viewed online at www.youngliberals.ca

A French ad campaign will be released prior to autumn recruitment.

- 30 -
For further information, contact:

Cory Pike, Young Liberals of Canada President
613-314-3600
cpike@liberal.ca

Le 30 Mai 2007
Pour diffusion immédiate

Les jeunes libéraux lancent leur campagne publicitaire
« Oui, les Conservateurs disposent de grands moyens financiers, mais, de notre côté, nous avons la créativité et Facebook ! », dit le concepteur.

Les Jeunes Libéraux du Canada (JLC) ont lancé une campagne publicitaire comprenant trois volets anglophones et principalement destinée aux utilisateurs d’internet.

Suite à l’élaboration d’un concept par l’un de nos membres, le Directeur National des JLC, Scott Pickup, a pris la tête l’opération visant à réaliser le projet. Les jeunes libéraux souhaitaient réaliser des publicités innovatrices qui tranchent avec ce que l’on voit habituellement.

Monsieur Pickup affirme : « Écoutez, nous savons tous que les Conservateurs ont beaucoup de moyens et qu’ils sont donc en mesure de s’offrir de multiples ressources comme de grandes agences de marketing et autres. Cependant, au sein de la famille libérale, nous pouvons compter sur le talent, le dévouement, de même que sur une vision claire du Canada dont nous sommes tous très fiers. »

Les trois publicités seront diffusées de plusieurs façons, incluant le site www.ylc-jlc.ca, Facebook, Youtube, des logiciels de messagerie instantanée, de même que plusieurs blogues. Une telle campagne simultanée permettra à nos membres et partisans de diffuser leur messages rapidement, et ce, en minimisant les coûts.

« L’internet, ce n’est pas un vulgaire terrain de jeux», dit quant à elle Denise Brunsdon, Directrice de la campagne pour les Jeunes et Co-présidente de la Campagne internet. « Pour nous, il s’agit d’un pilier dans les interactions sociales qui a aussi l’avantage, pour cette campagne publicitaire, d’être une méthode de communication beaucoup moins dispendieuse que la télévision ou la radio. »

« Notre commission a toujours dû fonctionner avec un petit budget. Malgré tout, je suis constamment épaté de la qualité du travail effectué par quelques libéraux lorsque tous contribuent ensemble », ajoute de son côté Cory Pike, Président des Jeunes Libéraux du Canada.

Les publicités peuvent être visionnées à l’adresse www.ylc-jlc.ca. Une toute nouvelle campagne publicitaire en français sera disponible avant la campagne de recrutement automnale.

- 30 -

Pour de plus amples informations :

Cory Pike
Président des Jeunes Libéraux du Canada
613-314-3600
cpike@liberal.ca

Gordon O’Connor has become our Donald Rumsfeld and like Rumsfeld the time he has come for him to go

2007-04-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

Gordon O’Connor has become our Donald Rumsfeld and like Rumsfeld the time he has come for him to go

by Letlotlo Coco Lefoka

The debacle this week by the Harper government of the allegations that prisoners handed over by the Canadian military to Afghan forces were possibly subjected to torture, abuse and executions could have a detrimental effect on Canada’s noble enterprise in Afghanistan by eroding support for the mission here at home. The serious allegations raised this week have revealed to Canadians that the Harper government is shockingly prepared to ignore, deny and misrepresent the truth rather then take responsibility and take action where Canada’s international honour is at stake. The bungling this weak could be mocked as being amateurish if only it wasn’t about a matter of life and death. Gordon O’Connor bears the brunt of the blame.

The Harper government first denied the existence of a report produced by Canadian diplomats in Afghanistan where the issue of “Extrajudicial executions, disappearances, torture and detention without trial are all too common," is raised. We now know that the Harper government was misrepresenting those facts when it informed the Globe and Mail that "no such report on human-rights performance in other countries exists". The document does exist. Mr. O’Connor told Canadians that the Red Cross was monitoring the condition of detainees transferred to Afghan authorities. He later had to apologize to the House of Commons when the Red Cross contracted his statements. Mr. O’Connor told Canadians that Canada had an agreement where we would have access to Afghan detainees and yet the Chief of Defence Staff and the Foreign Affairs Minister were not aware of any such agreement. Mr O’Connor has still to produce the agreement.

Mr. Harper’s statements have also contradicted Mr. O’Connor’s. Thursday Mr. Harper informed us that Afghan authorities “actually agreed they will formalize that agreement”. The Minister of Defence tells us the ink on the paperwork is dry, the Prime Minister tells the papers haven’t been signed, let alone been typed up, while the Public Safety Minister is making claims that we have always had access to detainees, claims which are contradicted by the Afghan Ambassador to Canada. The Harper government has gone back and forth, upside down and around so many times this week you’d think they were the East German Olympic gymnastics team.

Our men and women in uniform who serve this country do so with valour and honour. The Canadian military since the days of Vimy Ridge has been the allegory of what makes this country great. We are a humble and generous nation, courageous and guided by noble convictions committed to the peace, order, good government and the betterment of all humanity. A nation that is at times prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice to share these principles with others where they are denied, our troops in Afghanistan are living breathing proof of this. That Mr. O’Connor, who must be commended for having served in our military has repeatedly failed to have any grasp of this mission, is a slap in the face to everything we have been accomplishing in Afghanistan.

To put it bluntly Gordon O’Connor’s incompetence as Defence Minister is so disgraceful it would not be unkind to declare that he is Canada’s Donald Rumsfeld, incompetent, detached, self-contradicting and a disgrace. The only thing missing is a Rumsfeldian like declaration in Question Period to the effect that “freedom is untidy”. Mr. Harper pretending that Mr. O’Connor is worthy of any credence is a farce. Whether Mr. O’Connor does the honourable thing and resigns or Mr. Harper lives up to the responsibilities of his office and fires him one thing is certain Mr. O’Connor like Rumsfeld should go.

Letlotlo Coco Lefoka is a Liberal Activist who served two terms as the President of the Young Liberals of Canada in British Columbia

Young Liberals in Thunder Bay Welcome Dion

2007-04-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

What a great sign of support for the ridings of Thunder Bay-Rainy River and Thunder Bay- Superior North when Liberal Leader Dion came to grace us with Liberal vision at Fort William Historical Park to a crowd of 140 over the lunch hour.

Dion spoke of the transition that Thunder Bay and region will be experiencing over the next many years as we move from a resource based economy to a knowledge based economy that must be supported federally. He also spoke of how Prime Minister Harper has been neglecting FedNor because regional strength is not apart of the conservative vision.

What is also important to note is that Dion made sure to take his message out to the outlying region by going out to Dryden. Many leaders tend to forget that there are Canadians out in the region, yet, Dion headed straight into the west of the region. Sign, of course, of a true 308 riding strategy and not resting on the laurels of traditional support.

Vince Riccio

Driving Mr. Dion

2007-03-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

My time with Stephane Dion was an unusual one. Whenever I’ve met the leader in the past I’ve always retained a polite demeanor, listening intently to his words, quietly nodded in approval and always graciously thanking him for speaking with me. This past weekend was not the same. I had the opportunity to drive the leader on his tour through Ontario. Our trip took us from Pearson International to Mississauga, through Hamilton, Brantford, Welland and the Niagara region before returning back to my home turf at Ryerson.

At each event I’d drop Dion and his staffers off at the front door then go to park the car. Typically I’d arrive at the event before Dion and his crew would as they were quickly escorted to a holding room. So I’d saunter up to one of the people working the door and explain, “No I don’t have a ticket…I’m driving Dion” trying not to look like a pompous ass and demand special treatment. “Yes I know I’m wearing jeans and sneakers and everyone else is in a suite and tie,” I would think. Luckily for me, business attire is not a bona fide occupational requirement, especially when one is a volunteer.

Dion would then enter the room to synchronized clapping and shake hands and give a speech. On our first stop he had just released his platform “Balancing the Carbon Budget,” so he spoke at length about the need to stay competitive while protecting our environment. Over the weekend I heard the speech numerous times and I enjoyed the variations in it. No more Paul Martin’s “30 years ago when my father and Lester B. Pearson developed medicare they blah blah blah,” like I heard one million times during the last election.

As we built a rapportover those many kilometers, my friendly small talk and quiet agreement noises turned to substantive policy questions. I asked why he would be so vocal about the Anti-Scab bill when typically the leader doesn’t get involved in Private Members Bill. He explained how Private Members Bill needs not only deal with small matters and how it could have a great impact. Our comfort levels developed further, and soon I was naturally swatting his newspapers and briefing notes out of the way of my navigation system. I’d also joke about how cold it was driving him, because I wasn’t allowed to warm up the car before picking him up. I even muttered a swear word under my breath in his presence as I nearly rear-ended a Mercedes in the worst snow storm ever. The last thing I want to do I roll the car when he’s on the phone with David Suzuki or Al Gore.

But perhaps the best moment was as we approached Ryerson I explained the concept of the event, who would be there, what we were looking from him. I made him promise he wouldn’t say that youth “are the future” since we hate that shit; besides “We got now, we don’t care who got next.” He stared blankly at my Jay-Z reference.

He was greeted with drunken enthusiasm as we marched into the bar. Green beer sloshed as the applause began. Dion moved through the crowd and quickly slipped away from me.,I didn’t feel like staffing him, and had my eyes on the green beer myself. Other VIP’s moved through the St Patrick’s Day mosh pit waddling like penguins in the tightly packed bar. I settled in for some green beer, my shift was over and it was time to get loose. Dion spoke, he didn’t say we were the future, I was pleased, he did however say “We’re not a party that just cares about the next election; we’re a party that cares about the next generation” That was a Jay-Z-esque enough for me.

Jay Telegdi- Toronto, Ont.

untitled.

2007-03-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

Almost every newspaper in the country has been bashing, doubting or laughing at Dion during the past few weeks. Party moral seems low and “it’s bad and it’ll probably get worse” is plastered on many faces. But when my Dad, or my English teacher, or my friend asks me if I’m worried, I say a surprised “of course not!” accompanied by a rather large smile and sometimes a little chuckle. I’m not worried about Dion’s ability to win the next election, or the Conservative Attack Ads, or the latest over-analyzed poll. Too many Canadians are finding themselves in a tangled mess of speculation and exaggerated coverage. Dion’s greatest asset, which is starting to become a bit cliché, is the fact that he is underestimated. He won the Leadership despite the confused and unconvinced looks I got when I joined the campaign. Upon my return from Montreal, I said “I told you so” to quite a few sheepish looking people, who will be sure to regain their unattractive expressions the moment we win the next federal election. Dion does have his flaws, but compared to Harper’s love affairs with the National Citizens Coalition and Climate Change denial, Dion looks like a saint. All that we Young Liberals have to do is be our enthusiastic, in-your-face, tireless selves and get people to look behind the diversions that the media and the Tories have created. Spreading the word is our key to success. So the next time your brother, or your co-worker or the little kid next door asks you if you’re worried, smile, laugh, and say “of course not!”, while making a mental note to keep the “I told you so” to a minimum when Dion brings in his first sweeping majority.

~Annie Donolo

Budget Reaction

2007-03-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

The real problem with the Harper Spendathon Budget 2007? Its dithers all over.  

We were hounded for being a party, in our later years, with no direction, just paying off everyone we could. Henceforth, its such a funny turn to see Harper do this to 10x the degree.  

This budget does nothing particularly well. When I look at the combination of major features, I see no cohesion, no common thread that would hint at a purpose for governing.  

Decisiveness is fine, but its vision that makes a leader.  

Visionless Stephen Harper is NOT a leader!

Richard Liebrecht, Manitoba

great dion event!

2007-03-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

So dion is making his way around the country and it is beyond awesome!

Dion came to McMaster University in Hamilton today (March 14th) to speak to the local construction workers who have been working tirelessly for years to get new buildings put up on campus. McMaster is rapidly expanding and Mr. Dion wanted to speak with these workers to hear about their progress.

Students from McMaster were given the opportunity to meet with Dion and share a few words. Judging by their reaction he is really making an impact on youth around the country. Stephane met with the incoming McMaster Students Union president, Ryan Moran, who seemed very impressed with Mr. Dion. The youth were also given a chance to rub shoulders with the President of Mcmaster, Peter George. Stephane Dion is really showing that he is accessible to all Canadians and giving students opportunities to connect with senior figures such as Peter George.

The youth were also given the opportunity to sport some sexy hard hats for the event. Who doesn't love hard hat hair?

elyse banham

Liberals are Well Served

2007-02-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

For some reason or another, legions seem to be perennial places for political events of all types and stripes. About a month ago, I wound my way through a maze of pool tables and war memorabilia to a large hall at the Dundas Legion near McMaster, anticipating to hear from our new leader.

For me it would be my first encounter with him since the dazzling convention in late 2006. Waiting to cast my decisive vote on the third ballot, I saw the figures of Dion and Kennedy cut to the left of me. My eyes met with Kennedy and he mouthed thank you. The moment was a difficult, but what to do next was clear. My move to Dion never needed a second thought; his genuine nature and witty performance at the Toronto leadership debate had automatically made him the only option in a “what if” situation.

Back at the legion, he had arrived and simply watching him interacting with the crowd and talking to many he came across has humble, optimistic and sincere. Once he made it to the stage, he spoke passionately about the environment and how it is becoming more and more intertwined with our economic future. For someone with intellectual might, he wasn’t abstract or impersonal; it didn’t feel like he was preaching to us, but engaging in conversation with each one of us. I feel confident about the future and emboldened by our leader. Liberals are well served.

Mark Ungar

McMaster University

It's working

2007-02-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

During the leadership race I’d occasionally return to my hometown in rural Ontario and escape the drama of the race at the farm that I grew up on. While there I’d drop by my grandmother’s house and fill her in on the latest events. It was nice to have someone to listen to me as I vented my frustrations about being sleep deprived or my lack of dietary prudence. She didn’t really follow the race too closely and relied largely on my super biased assessment of the whole thing.

One visit she told me that she was happy that Dion was making the environment such a priority. She remembers the last time the environment received such attention was in the United States back in the 80’s or something concerning acid rain, and she’s happy the focus was back on it. So this meant something to me, if my 91 year old, card carrying Republican, American grandmother was hearing the message about the need for environmental sustainability then we must be doing something right.

As Liberals we should be proud that we have made such a concerted effort to bring the environment to the forefront of public opinion, and we’re fortunate to have a leader with such a credible record on the environment. So I’m looking forward to an election and to spreading the word that it is the Liberals who have a serious commitment to the environment, and win the next election one grandmother at a time!

Jay- Ontario

we are ready.

2007-02-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

“Delia, why do you like Stephane Dion?” Oh boy I thought; leadership was over a month ago, why is he asking me this question?

“Well, I like him because…,” and I continue on with my speech, something I had perfected since joining the Dion campaign last summer. I decided to stop mid-sentence and ask the former Rae supporter why he wanted to know? I mean really, we don't need to try to recruit each other anymore....we're working together!

“I saw him the other day and spent some time with him, and well, I understand what it was you saw in him. I see it too,” he said.

Big sigh of relief. Hearing that really meant a lot to me. My friends from the other campaigns are genuinely supporting our new leader, something more people (Liberals and non-Liberals alike) are doing every day. After the end of Leadership in December, I was unsure how Dion would be embraced amongst the Liberal youth on a national scale. I am very happy with the way everyone has rallied behind Dion with the same goal in mind. I am proud to say that the party is uniting and that we are preparing to win the next election.

The National Youth Campaign is an example for the rest of the party to follow. We are working together, mobilized, and ready to kick some major butt. The Liberal party is ready to once again be at the helm. Bring it on.

Delia Greco
Ontario

Liberals United!!!

2007-02-16T16:14:00.000-08:00

Attending the 2006 Liberal Leadership Convention was the experience of a lifetime, especially for a Liberal rookie like me. Not even had I stepped foot on the convention floor when I already got sucked into the whirlwind of welcome rallies, photo opps and strategy sessions that came to comprise my life for the next few days. Sporting RAEvolution t-shirts and chanting at the top of our lungs, we escorted Bob into Le Palais de Congres, anxious at what awaited during the course of the weekend. It was then that I realized how fortunate I was to be a part of something so grand and important for the future of our Nation.

As a Bevilacqua-turned-Rae delegate and youth team captain I took on a liaison role both within my camp and externally with other teams. When I wasn’t chasing my team around the convention floor I was chatting up other youth delegates in order to gage the direction they would take if their candidate dropped out. Surely enough after the third ballot I found myself in this position. As emotions flared and everyone pondered what to do next, I tried to keep in mind what Bob had reminded us of repeatedly through out the campaign – that no matter what the convention outcome we will leave Montreal united as a party under great leadership, ready to topple down Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. As such, after some consideration I knew Stephane Dion was the best candidate and deserved my vote going into the final ballot.

As tiresome and chaotic as the convention was, it was only half the job we originally set out to achieve. I am incredibly excited to be part of the BC campaign team once again, helping to gear up and prepare for our federal election. An election that could be upon us in a matter of only a few weeks! We have enormous momentum right now and are united under a great leader who is sure to take us to victory in the next election!

- Hila Wesa

Proud to be a Dion Liberal

2007-02-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

Having the opportunity to attend the 2006 Liberal Leadership convention was a thrill of a lifetime for me. Aboard the 530am train to Montreal from Hamilton I was already sporting my Generation Kennedy youth gear. I could barely contain my excitement to represent the man I believed would be the leader of the Liberal party in just a few short days. Both my mother and brother had been Gerard Kennedy delegates at the 1996 Ontario Leadership convention. 10 years later, it was my turn.
At the convention I took on the role of National Youth Volunteer coordinator. This roll allowed me the opportunity to meet youth from all over Canada. My brother was one of the Ontario whips and together we were attempting to figure out where we would go if Gerard did not end up the top guy. As the second ballot results came out and reports of Gerard heading to Dion began to spread, my brother and I stood together discussing our next move. After hearing that Kennedy had made his way over to Stephane Dion we both knew what we needed to do. With tears in my eyes I called Denise Brunsdon, my contact with the Dion camp and said we were coming over. All the youth who had began to surround both my brother and I followed us to get on our green gear. As I looked around, I knew that a pivotal moment in my life, and the life of the Liberal Party had just passed.
It was a proud moment for me when I looked at the convention centre from the stage and saw a sea of green spreading across the floor. The party was coming together, rallying around a man who would carry the principles and style of leadership that I had seen in Gerard. Once I saw Denise Brunsdon I knew I had made the right choice. I joined the Dion campaign in full force and began making phone calls in order to pull out the vote. This was an inclusive team and I was happy to be on board.
I am now so excited to be gearing up for an election. Stephane Dion has even inspired a member of my family to run for the nomination on Hamilton Mountain. I know the Liberal Party team is stronger then ever, more united then ever, and more ready then ever, to govern our great country under Stephane Dion.

Post-Convention Chronicles

2007-02-12T23:20:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! If you were lucky enough to attend the 2006 Leadership Convention, you must be recovered by now since it's already two months later! I can't believe how time flies.
This is Ali Jonzon writing. I am one of the youth representatives on the Liberal Party of Canada's National Campaign Committee and a National Co-Chair of the Young Liberal's Election Campaign Committee. My counterpart is the wonderful Melissa Pierre from Quebec. I, myself, live in "Liberal-rich" Alberta. I think I was given the honour of serving on the above mentioned committees because they know that Alberta Liberals are the toughest! In any case, I'm extremely happy and excited to be a voice for the youth as we prepare for the next election (which we're going to win, by the way).
Some of you may remember me as a National Youth Co-Chair of the Michael Ignatieff campaign. Why, you ask, am I now on all these election committees if Ignatieff didn't win? Two words: tous ensemble. I am a Liberal first and foremost, which superceeds any leadership contest; serving my party is the priority. I'm not going to lie, I was devastated when the contestant I worked so hard for didn't win the leadership (you may have even seen the photo of me crying in Maclean's), but I also know that we're in very good hands under M. Stephane Dion! Think about it: he's a federalist, a Francophone, an intellectual, and an environmentalist. That is a lot of ammo against Stephen Harper! So far I've been very impressed by Dion, and am confident that he will only get better.
Since the convention, us Young Liberals have been working harder than ever to prepare for the next election. We have an amazingly talented youth team in place that have already accomplished so much. To name a few:

Marc Andre Gendron's YouTube Attack Ad Rebuttal was viewed on Mike Duffy Live and, to date, has received over 4800 hits! See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0pKGdLjxk

Several letters to the editor have been printed in both local and national papers, including the Globe and Mail.

Young Liberals in BC and Ontario have protested Harper's "child-care" program and Wajid Khan's crossing, respectively. Both of these protests received national media attention. My favourite lines from these protests were: (1) Help not Harpocrisy, and (2) Khan is Khanfused. These protests are a great example of a grassroots way to make people listen to the Young Liberals!

Young Liberals across the country were present at the Canadian Federation of Student protests, handing out flyers detailing Harper's so-called Post-Secondary Education platform, as compared to the Liberal's Post-Secondary Education funding and policies. For example, the Conservatives promised an $80 textbook credit that you receive when the school year is done. Whereas the Liberals dedicated $2.2 billion over five years to improve student financial assistance and help make post-secondary education more affordable for lower- and middle-income Canadians. Too bad one textbook is twice the amount the Conservatives promised. I think the students got the message that the Liberal Party are students' friends, while the Conservatives really aren't.

I could go on, but I think I'll leave the bragging there. The truth is--we're organized and we're ready to take the Tories head-on. If you're not currently in contact with any Young Liberals in your area and would like to help in the next election, please e-mail me at ajonzon@ualberta.ca and I'll put you in touch with a Young Liberal in your area.

Let's kick some Tory blue butt!

CONVENTION WEEK

2006-11-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, Mark your convention correspondent here. Finally after weeks of months of preparation and planning, running about and doing the most tedious of odd jobs, finally the big event is here!! I’m not as lucky as some who get to live, eat, breathe and sleep (or not) the convention. Nonetheless, there is still some serious and important business that we've got to attend to. Normally, photocopying, formatting, and generally doing whatever you are told to do is not that big a deal. But add that special sense of urgency that has come with this week, and we're making those copies double time.

One of the great perks of this week is that, all of a sudden, Montreal is flooded with people who are active and enthusiastic about politics, Dion, and the other candidates. Of course we welcome all of these people to Montreal, however, we naturally reserve an especially hearty bonjour for all our fellow Dion supporters. Si vous êtes avec nous, les Dionistas, et vous n`êtes pas montréalais, bienvenue!!!

It's very interesting to talk convention and hear the view from BC, the Maritimes, and Ontario. I would really like to meet someone from the North this week though!!! In my opinion, this is where we find the real value of having a convention.

Plus the convention means a good chance to practice our realpolitik. Stuffing envelopes for delegates, for instance, is particularly enriching. One sheet, two sheets, three sheets, four; button stickers, let's do some more! So it's not quite 99 bottles of beer, but it gets us through the day. But we do get the satisfaction of knowing that delegates, in particular the Dion youth, are going to have a great time in Montreal. And maybe we'll tag along... because all work and no play makes politics a dull game, doesn't it?

So...HAPPY CONVENTION...and if you see someone running to a photocopier, you'll know who it is. And stay tuned for more updates to come.

- Mark

Convention Blog, a Dion intern

2006-11-27T08:18:00.000-08:00

Being a Dion Intern

My name is Mark and I'm a Dionista and a youth campaign intern. I’m a second year student at McGill University and a long time Liberal. Despite being interested in politics for a long time, getting into Dion’s corner has been my first real experience in the political ring. And I think our man Stephane is going to walk away with the belt.

When I signed up, I was pretty ignorant to the amount of work that goes into a campaign. But then my second weekend with the team was Super Weekend. Some practically lived at the Dion office before and over the weekend. There was pizza, and it rocked. Since then, its become really clear that the Dion team is quite remarkable. From my perspective, they, rather, we, are one good reason why Dion is going to win this weekend. We rock.

Anyways, its been a good experience being an intern. I've been asked to get groceries, write up random text for this and that, put man on the moon, all the glamorous stuff you see in movies, yeah, we do all that. In between making phone calls and pulling things together for convention, we get to hypothesize the outcome of all our hard work and limitless benevolence and devotion for the Dion cause. There seems to be a general consensus that he is going to win. Go figure!

Working for Dion gives you some serious celebrity status around these parts. I’d say its implied in being an intern for a candidate that you have got to spread the good word, and I’m finding that lots of people know what the scoop with Dion is already. Every now and again you get someone who says, “Who? Celine?” but they are really easy to straighten out. Most of the time, its more like, “That’s cool, he rocks.” So naturally I tell them that, no Dion doesn’t rock. He rocks hard. Then I make sure that they are thoroughly convinced, and tell them to spread the word. If you're one of those who I haven't reached yet, then do some digging: read a paper, listen to the radio or watch the news. Chances are that we've passed on the Dion bug and it is working its way towards you. Don't run, don't hide, we're everywhere.

- Mark

Une bonne lettre...

2006-11-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

(dans le devoir, gazette, et star)

La politique symbolique au Canada

Le mot nation englobant plusieurs sens – sociologique, ethnique, étatique – on peut très bien dire que les « Québécois » forment une nation dans un Canada uni. J’appuierai donc la résolution déposée à la Chambre des communes qui fait évidemment référence au sens sociologique du mot nation. Une résolution qui dirait que le « Québec » forme une nation au sein du Canada devrait préciser qu’il s’agit bien du sens sociologique. La résolution proposée à l’aile québécoise de mon parti ne le précisait pas et je ne pouvais donc pas l’appuyer.

Et voici quelques autres résolutions que mon parti ou la Chambre des communes pourraient très bien voter :

« Les Canadiens-Français forment une nation au sein du Canada. »

« Les Acadiens forment une nation au sein du Canada. »

« Les Premières nations formant autant de nations, de même que les
Métis et les Inuits, il y a plusieurs nations au Canada et dans la
province de Québec. »

Et maintenant la résolution suivante : « Le Canada forme une seule et même nation ayant son siège aux Nations unies. »

Je crois surtout qu’il faut cesser d’investir tant d’espoir, ou inversement, de craintes dans ce genre d’exercice sémantique. Il faut apprendre à mieux gérer la politique symbolique au Canada. Une façon de nous y aider serait de convenir ensemble que rien ne justifie la sécession au Canada.

Il appartient aux chefs indépendantistes de démontrer que cette affirmation est fausse. À eux de trouver les raisons graves qui justifieraient de faire une chose aussi radicale que de transformer des concitoyens en étranger dans un pays démocratique.

Et à nous de travailler dans l’unité pour toujours améliorer davantage cette superbe réalisation humaine qu’est le Canada.

Stéphane Dion est député de Saint-Laurent-Cartierville et candidat à la direction du Parti libéral du Canada.
-------

Symbolic politics in Canada

The word nation having different meanings - sociological, ethnic, statehood - one can say that “Quebecers” form a nation within a united Canada. I will therefore support the motion introduced in the House of Commons which obviously refers to the sociological sense of the word nation. A resolution which would say that “Quebec” forms a nation within Canada should specify that it refers to the sociological definition of the word. The resolution put forward at the convention of the Quebec wing of my party did not specify this and thus I did not support it.

Here are a few other resolutions that my party or the House of Commons could adopt:

“French Canadians form a nation within Canada.”

“Acadians form a nation within Canada.”

“First Nations peoples being nations, as are the Métis and the Inuit,
there are many nations in Canada and in the province of Quebec.”

And now the following resolution: “Canada is one nation with its own seat at the United Nations.”

Above all, I believe that we must stop being so hopeful, or fearful, of this type of semantic exercise. We must learn to better manage symbolic politics in Canada. We could help ourselves by all agreeing that nothing justifies secession in Canada.

It is up to the separatists leaders to demonstrate that this statement is false. It is up to them to identify the serious reasons which would justify such a radical gesture in a democratic country: transforming fellow citizens into foreigners.

And it is up to us to work in unity and continually improve the superb human achievement that is Canada.

Stéphane Dion is Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent-Cartierville and candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Everybody Loves Dion

2006-11-24T17:01:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

Colin Hebb here...

One week ago today, Stephane Dion arrived in Nova Scotia for a three day tour of our great little province. We were very excited for his arrival and he certainly did not disappoint.

From a great morning with Liberals in Scott Brison's riding on Saturday through to an eventful half day with Sydney-Victoria MP, Mark Eyking, the NS Dion tour was a BIG success from beginning to end.

I was lucky enough to have accompanied Stephane on his tour and was amazed by the positive response from every part of the province. I was also very impressed by the overwhelming number of people that walked up to Stephane in the street and told him they would certainly vote Liberal if he were the leader. I felt like I was walking with a celebrity who had just scored the biggest blockbuster of his career. As we went along, one thing became very clear to me... "Everybody Loves Dion".

I had the opportunity to speak with many delegates here in NS who would likely need a second choice after the first ballot. Each and every person I spoke with indicated that Stephane was certainly a major part of their consideration and in many, many cases... the one.

I am so proud that I will mark my ballot "Stephane Dion" for the leader of this party next weekend. I can honestly say that at no point during this long, long race have I regretted the decision I made back in April. In fact, everytime I hear Stephane speak or read his detailed vision of the future, I become even more convinced that no one deserves to win this more than Stephane Dion. He is the quintessential Liberal and we need him to take back the reigns of power.

He's the one.

That's all from Halifax.. see you in Montreal,

Colin Hebb

PS: Below are some comments that were made by non-members that stopped by to hear Stephane speak... very inspiring:

"Though I have always been a conscientious voter, I have never been inspired enough by anyone to work for their election, but I feel all fired up by Stephane and so much want him to win the nomination and be Canada's P.M. We desperately need someone with his vision and integrity."

"We were both really impressed by Stephane. He seems bright, thoughtful, a good listener, has both vision and a sense of how to achieve it... I hope that he can win the leadership race and then that the Liberals can defeat Harper."

The Finale of "Four-eyed and Fantastic"

2006-11-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

And here we are at the last part of our series. We feel like we've learned a lot in this exercise. We learned that Roberta Bondar must have perfect eye-sight. Damn did we want to be able to profile her. Amazing! So yes, we must thus admit that some great leaders don't wear glasses. But let's ignore that and move on to those that do...

Dr. Seuss

Every child's favorite author, Dr. Seuss- "who thought politics were only a bother, and now I can't go any farther..."

You get the picture – he is of course known for his children's stories with surprising depth. Although unknown to many at the time of its publication, "If I ran the Circus", a story where young McGurkus cleans out an empty lot and runs a magnificent circus that everyone enjoys, is in fact a grade 3 interpretation of how successful Dion is going to be. Except there are elephants. We still can't believe the campaign vetoed elephants.

Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, also known as "Silence Dogood" to those history buffs amongsts us (or anyone who watched the EPIC film "National Treasure" starring the one and only Nicholas Cage! Holy crap, does Nicholas Cage wear glasses...) was a fairly stellar guy. Pro-democracy, pro-feminism, anti-slavery, he is best known for his work to harness the power of electricity. Oh yeah, and he was also President of the United States for a while. Oh yeah, and he also created bifocals! Booyakasha! So considering this accomplished man wore glasses which he created himself, we feel more than justified putting him on the list.

And finally, we move onto the last person in our series, and the man of the hour:

STÉPHANE DION

Where to start, where to start... um, national unity? Environmental sustainability? Ethics and accountability? Experience? Respect on the international stage? Gender parity in politics? Youth engagement in politics? Knocking doors with us Liberals during the last three elections? There's too many reasons, so we'll let you decide which is the best.

- Denise and Mark

ps- we're sorry to report that Nicholas Cage, while wearing a lot of sunglasses doesn't seem to sport them of any other type. Damn. We're still including some AMAZING quotes from some AMAZING movies, though.

Nicholas Cage as Cyrus Grissom: Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I have the only gun on board. Welcome to Con Air.
Nicholas Cage as Dr. Goodspeed: I'm a chemical SUPERfreak actually, but, I still need a gun.

Part II of our series: Behind the Lenses

2006-11-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

FDR

And of course there is Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who overcame mediocre eyesight and paralysis to become one of the most well regarded American presidents of all time. Very much a liberal president, his New Deal attempted to create equality for minorities, subsidies for farmers, and social assistance for the poor. He is commonly known as FDR, which really means For the Dion Revolution ;-)

John Lennon

And how about the admired musician, John Lennon? He was the founder and leader of the biggest band in history, (The Beatles of course) and his political activism and philosophical outlook will never be forgotten. While Lennon could never expect Dion to sport the granny glasses, he did once sing that “if you want to start a revolution.... you’d best listen to Stephane....allllright,” and also, “it's been a hard day's night, of climate change negotiation, but now we're feelin' alright, let Dion lead the nation...yeah.” At this point, a mad blogger shout-outs to Beatles Blog for Dion, who rocked the blog community earlier this campaign with much groundbreaking work forming links between awesome bands and awesome leadership candidates.

Louise Arbour

Another glasses-donner that rocks our socks is Chief Justice Arbour. Internationally reknown for her work as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour has had and continues to have an amazing impact on Canadian society. These glasses have spent many an hour review important cases the world over.

Clark Kent

Clark Kent, played by Christopher Reeves- who was an incredible man in his own right- is often credited as being nothing more than the alter-ego for Superman. We here at EchoDion, however, feel that Kent was a hero in his own right. Journalism is the pursuit of perfect information and transparency in a community. It is the backbone of democracy. Kent worked hard whatever the hell that newspaper was called, and for what he lacked in predictability as the result of his whole bird/plane sidejob he more than made up for in passion and eyewear.

While we won't see Stephane being confused with either Kent or Superman, he's already overcome political kryptonite more than once. And he he's got X-Ray vision. Muah muah muah...

Getting bored of this series yet? We aren't! More to come tomorrow =)
- Denise and Mark

Demographics over Ideas? Give credit where credit due

2006-11-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

Richard from Manitoba here,

Many a discussion out there in the blogosphere is trying to relate each candidate's qualities to potential electability. I'm glad people are keeping the next election in mind when talking Leadership considering we aren't electing the president of our own pointless social club. Thus far, bloggers and a few pundits have been focusing exclusively on inherent qualities (language and location specifically) as if these were the sole determining factors in an election; there is so much cynicism built into this view. No one can deny that demographics of a leader matter to people; people look for ways to personalize and relate to a leader to the "world" they see and live in. Yet, you can apply the economist model to voting: people are looking to maximize their benefit to their lives. And, I still believe some people are genuinely interested in the common good in this country.

We fail the second two motivations unless we start discussing ideas and visions as vote-moving instruments. Does Stephane's French accent, or Kennedy's hard French, or Dryden's charisma matter to the every day lives of Canadians? no, surely not. Accents don't pay bills or taxes, educate children, bust crime, or clean up the toxic site next to the playground. Governments and politicians exist to make the everyday lives of citizens more manageable, to take advantage of the common good; ideas and programs accomplish this. Put any candidate's personality foibles against two fewer hours spent waiting in an emergency room, or a cheaper bill at the pharmacy, or news of carbon emission reductions; the tangible benefits matter so much more.

If Stephen Harper, cowboy-hatted, leather vest-wearing man of the west can pick up seats in Quebec by promising to fix the fiscal imbalance, then any person with a relevant idea can win anywhere. Even the Liberals have an opportunity in the West with support for the wheat board and ethanol production.

Debating electability without discussing the candidate's planks and their regional impacts is a half hearted and fully arrogant nod to Canadian voters. We dismiss this reality at our own peril. This issue isn't necessarily about any particular candidate, its just a reminder that ideas matter. It just can't be helped that Stephane is a man of ideas.

Great Leaders with Glasses

2006-11-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

Today we start a special series here at Dionlineyouth.blogspot chronicling the amazing leadership that occurs when you combine integrity, courage, brilliance and glasses. Today's installment:

Gandhi

The most influential of the lot is Mahatma. Gandhi mobilized huge numbers of people(millions and millions) and lead them forward through a period of great uncertainty. Not only that, he did it with principle and dignity. If Gandhi was around today, we believe he would be down with the Three Pillars approach. Interestingly, both have been dominatant figures in debates on national unity.

Nellie McClung

And who is this stately lady? None other than Nellie McClung. She played a pivotal role in the battle for women’s suffrage in Canada. She saw straight through the rhetoric of the day and with a group of fellow strong women, fought the system and won their right to participate in the democratic process as equals. We're sure Dion’s plan to achieve gender parity in the party and parliament would be easy on these eyes.

Vince Vaughn

Swingers. Old School. Wedding Crashers. Dodgeball. Anchor Man. Starsky and Hutch. That movie with the Rock where he pretended to be a gangsta. Amazing. Just like Dion, he has an absolutely un-toppable resume. The comparison stops there, though. Which is probably for the best.

Our series on awesome-people-who-wear-glasses continues tomorrow with an influential musician, world leader, and superhero. Suggestions always welcome. Especially for the next series we're trying to put together tentatively titled, "Great Leaders who name their pets after United Nations Accords."

- Mark and Denise

Holy great column, Batman

2006-11-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

As I scan through my daily LRB newsclippings, some emails stand out more than others. Like the coverage of a confused David Emerson who showed up at the GG's after losing the election and still accidentally got put into cabinet. Or reporting of when PM stood up in the House of Commons to defend the Aboriginal Accord. Or the comment piece below.

Fave line is when he describes SD as

"one who is ready to tear down the walls of cynicism that engulf politics."

Tearing down the walls of cynicism that engulf politics is so hot right now.

- Denise

Don't count out Stéphane Dion

Lawrence Martin, Globe and Mail, November 2, 2006

Stéphane Dion was underrated and he still is and he is likely to remain so all the way up until the election of the new Liberal leader on Dec. 2.

The Montreal academic arrived in Ottawa 10 years ago and quickly rendered the word charisma obsolete. He had the look of a stick of chalk, an altar boy among the bishops, intrinsically mundane.

He became unity minister. With rapier thrusts that repelled separatist blackmail, he earned intellectual credibility. He helped set new rules for secession and became, with John Manley, one of Jean Chrétien's most prized ministers. Paul Martin left him out of cabinet, but he was soon back in by popular demand.

In Ottawa, Mr. Dion gained a reputation. Many will tell you this is the most sincere, completely unpretentious politician they have ever met. They found a purity and directness to his way of thinking and acting that was unique. He didn't the play the game.

But, despite his progress, when they rolled out the candidates for the Liberal leadership, the Dion name drew yawns. It was all the more curious because, when he describes himself as the most qualified candidate in the field, he cannot be faulted for exaggeration.

Mr. Dion has more federal cabinet experience than all the other candidates combined. He has none of the baggage of a Bob Rae or a Michael Ignatieff. His slate, despite being in the cabinet so long, is clean. He is the candidate who best bridges the bitter Martin/Chrétien divide in the Liberal Party. On the major issues of the day, global warming and national unity, he has served as minister in each portfolio.

But the focus turned to others in the race, some who had spent a history outside the Grit family. Knifing his way through steak and mushrooms in an Ottawa restaurant, Mr. Dion points out, without bitterness, how many in the media wrote him off because he was too dull. "You wrote that I'm boring. In fact, I am not."

In fact, aside from his occasionally fractured English, it was about the only fault we could pin on him. No gravitas. But he's been working on it. "You will be surprised," he says, "at how much I am able to inspire people."

He sits in fourth place in a race many see as now tilting toward Mr. Rae. But Mr. Dion is moving. His integrity is selling well in private sessions with delegates. He is profiting as well from the stumbling performances of other candidates, particularly that of Mr. Ignatieff.

Gerard Kennedy was causing some concern in the Dion camp. Many thought he might enter the by-election in London, Ont., thereby vaulting his stature above that of provincial politician. With a victory, he would have had precious momentum for the convention. But no dice. Mr. Kennedy looked success in the face, turned and walked away.

The real plus for Mr. Dion, however, is the ace card about which few are talking. Candidates such as Mr. Kennedy, Scott Brison, Ken Dryden and others are going to be more inclined to support Mr. Dion than others because, if they can't win the leadership themselves, they'd much prefer a candidate from Quebec to do so. A Dion victory would mean it would be an anglophone's turn next time. By supporting Mr. Dion, they look to their own futures. It is especially true in the case of Mr. Kennedy, who had dinner with Mr. Dion recently.

At the convention, Mr. Dion has to dispel remaining doubts that he would be a dud as a campaigner by delivering a howitzer of a speech. With that, with eventual support for a Kennedy bloc, he could well pull an upset -- one that would spell significant change.

Mr. Rae, who is tied to the Chrétien engine of the party, has his strengths, as do the others. But anyone looking for someone to shake up the politics of this country would look first to Mr. Dion. He is different, a breed part.

In the United States, they're hoping to see the entry of a great truth teller, Senator Barack Obama, in the 2008 presidential race. In Canada, we already have one -- one who is ready to tear down the walls of cynicism that engulf politics if the Liberals open the door to him.

Some are part of the problem, others the solution

2006-11-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, enough is enough. I’ve already gone on one politically charged rant in the past 24 hours but Norman Spector and this little Conservative sexist movement that’s developing recently definitely necessitates another. Days after the “honorable” Peter MacKay refers to Belinda Stronach as a dog, Norman Spector kindly informs us that she is, more specifically, a female dog—I believe the exact phrasing was “she’s a bitch.” This coming from the former Chief of Staff of Brian Mulroney and well-known Conservative pundit is, in one word, astonishing. For those that haven’t seen the full statement:

“I think she's a bitch. It's as simple as that. And I think that 90 percent of men would probably say she's a bitch… She is a bitch.” (Norman Spector, Oct. 31, 2006)

Anyone wondering why women are grossly underrepresented in politics need look no further than the Conservative government right now. To the Conservatives, a woman who’s bold enough to have her own opinion and cross the floor is a “dog” and a “bitch.”

If Canada seeks to correct the gender imbalance in parliament we need a Prime Minister with a clear plan to encourage women into politics like Stéphane. In fact, Stéphane has a ten-point plan dedicated entirely to this cause. The full text in English can be found here ou vous pouvez le trouver en français ici. Among many other things, Stéphane has committed to ensure at least one third of the candidates in the next election are female, to create a committee as assurance that we have the best women to run as Liberals across the country, and to guarantee gender parity in appointments to the Senate and to the boards of Crown Corporations. To quote LPCBC President and Dionista Jamie Elmhirst, “I feel like I've been time warped back to the 1950's, but maybe that's just the natural effect of having a Conservative government in power in Ottawa.”

-Trev

Leadership Convention vs. Leadership Danceoff: You Be the Judge

2006-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

As everyone knows, the greatest thing about finally moving out from home and being a first year university student is the tendency of your parents to call you almost constantly. In fact, I was confronted by such a phone call the other day and coerced into explaining to my parents the process by which the Liberal Party elects its leader.

Needless to say, explaining Form 6’s, DSM’s and convention was exhilarating. Those 17 hours of my life did, however, make me realize how much simpler the whole process would be if instead of all this bureaucracy, everything was decided via dance-off.

Do you remember the TV show “Dance 360?” I’ll summarize: one person throws down their best moves in the center of a large crowd (can you say delegates?). Then, another person jumps in. The climax is certainly the head-to-head round, where the two people “dance battle.” The winner is decided by applause.

Picture this and try to tell me with a straight face it’s not the most brilliant idea you’ve ever read: Ignatieff sporting the shopping cart (a personal fave) and Dion laying down the always popular cowboy. Or Kennedy rocking the fisherman and Rae keeping it classy with the chicken dance. If not efficient, it would at least be funny.

- Trevor

T- 44, 640 minutes until convention

2006-10-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

With only a month left until registration opens I'm starting to have these disturbing thoughts. Thoughts about what to do on Sunday, December 3. And Monday December 4, and on and on and on. Regardless of outcome, I wonder what hindsight will teach me in the immediate post-convention future, but also what memories I will keep with me for the rest of my life. At only 22 years old, I might see a good many Leaderships in my day. What will make this one special?

I think Carrie's touching post is certainly an indication.

By far one of the best things about the last 6 months on the Dion campaign has been the random and casual moments where someone I know reveals themselves to be a fellow "Dionista" without me ever having known.

The amazing professor who asked me who I was supporting and responded, "Of course Dion. Me too."

Or my campus-job boss who I've known for five years and never talked politics once that said, "Oh you're involved in the Leadership? Who are you supporting? Because Stephane Dion is the one I want to win."

Or the former hill staffer friend who I thought had all but left politics that sent me an email out of the blue reading, "Following the race. Hear you're involved with Dion. He's gotta win, so don't screw up."

Along with the knowing nods from my friends in other parties and the thumbs up from strangers on the metro who see me sporting my Stephane Dion button, these are some of the best moments on the campaign.

- Denise

Where does your candidate stand on the issue of rap music?

2006-10-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

I’m tired of all these hard-hitting blog interviews. It’s high time we stopped asking candidates about their opinions and ideas in favour of the goofy, the mundane, and the completely random.

So with that, I present to you my blog interview with the Hon. Stéphane Dion. Thanks to Young Liberals from all the camps for submitting such great questions.

DB: Hi Stéphane, I’m going to ask you some questions that Young Libs have always wanted to know, but have never had the chance to ask you. Answer as much or as little as you want.

SD: Okay

DB: What is your favourite food?

SD: Fresh trout that I have caught myself

DB: What is your favourite season of the year?

SD: Winter, because I like cross-country skiing.

DB: What is the last movie you watched?

SD: 8 Below.

DB: Do you have any guilty pleasures?

SD: Too many to consider

DB: Would you prefer to be really hot and step into a cold room, or really cold and step into a hot room?

SD: Be cold and go into a warm room because a warm room, especially if it’s a fire, is more natural. When it’s air conditioning it’s always a bit artificial.

DB: When you were 8 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?

SD: I wanted to be a courier de bois. What is the translation for this? It’s someone who worked in the fur trade a long time ago…

DB: Uh… good question. I don’t know what it is in English either….

SD: Maybe there’s no translation. Just put courier de bois.

DB: Okay.

[Editor’s note: there isn’t in fact a good translation as “trapper” is a little big more vague, but feel free to check out wikipedia for a full and even possibly accurate description http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyageurs.]

DB: I notice you have a lot of art in your house. Do you have any favourite artists or paintings.

SD: Well since I am colour blind it’s difficult to have a strong preference.

DB: Really, you’re colour-blind?

SD: Yes.

DB: Can I write that?

SD: Yes.

DB: Cool.

SD: And I would probably say Rembrandt, because it’s the daily life of people.

DB: Do you have a favourite type of music or favourite artist or favourite song?

SD: Yes. La Norma of Bellini

[Proceeds to spell it for me because I’m totally uncultured]

DB: What do you think of rap music?

SD: They speak too fast.

DB Even in French rap?

SD: Yes. It’s not a matter of language.

DB: Yeah, that’s fair. What is the most influential book you’ve ever read? Er, that’s kind of tough. What’s one of the most influential you’ve read?

SD: Democracy in America, from Toqueville.

DB: Have you ever failed a class?

SD: Yes

DB: Holy crap, really?

SD: I had difficulties adapting myself to Cegep.

[for those not familiar with Cegep, it’s pretty much like OAC or pre-college.]

DB: If you could have dinner with any 5 people, dead or alive, who would they be?

SD: This is a very tough one

[pauses for a second]

I would go with the 5 Jewish thinkers who gave strong contributions to humanity

Moses, who said that everything is law
Jesus, who said that everything is love
Marx, who said that everything is struggle
Freud, who said that everything is sex
And Einstein, who said, “you know, all this is very relative.”

DB: That’s awesome. Wow. Okay, how did you and your wife meet?

SD: At a party. Sorry to not be more original.

[Jeanne (his daughter) and I giggle a little bit]

DB: Okay, last question. If you win the leadership will it be the happiest moment of your political career?

[pauses for a long time]

SD: It’s very likely so.

Campaign Dress Code

2006-10-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

People often think that if you work in politics you must dress really nicely all the time. I am pleased to report this is not the case. I've managed to spend almost this entire leadership campaign wearing sweatpants/pajama pants/pajama shorts/or some variation of what can only be described as "inactive wear." Many people might think this was made easier by the fact that our campaign rented a house in Ottawa instead of an office, and so I spent a good amount of time sleeping in the campaign office; however, I've managed to sport inactive wear in great cities across this country. Members of the youth team in Victoria, Toronto, Halifax...they've all seen me in inaction. Even SD, who got to see me in my Sunday best for a round of blog interviews yesterday, is cool that I work in sweatpants with stains on them (not shown in picture, but they're there) and an old rugby shirt that my dad gave me after he would no longer wear it in public. It's highly possibly he gave it to me so I stop wearing my "Vancouver Triathlon 1989" t-shirt.

And I just want to say that I'm proud to be on a campaign where I'm judged by my opinions and the content of my character rather than my appearance.

Also, I also took a few minutes to do a hard-hitting blog interview with Stephane which I will be posting shortly, so stay tuned :-)

-Denise

Bridging Liberal past with a Liberal future

2006-10-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Richard from Manitoba here,

Stephane came off feistier than Kyoto in a dog park on Sunday, a performance that gathered many impressed "hmm" moments at the inter-camp debate gathering I attended. Dion stood up for the Liberal record against two party newcomers, and I think its important that every Liberal remember that renewal is different than rebuilding.

The 13-year dynasty of our party was not an accident, nor just a product of the "big red machine" in singing campaign mode. In 1993, Liberals had a purpose: to bring Canada to a point of fiscal balance, in anticipation of a day where Canada could afford to implement any policy or program it needed to address social and economic ills. Purpose drove policy, policy drove visible change, and visible change kept us in office. The finest campaigners of Power Corp would not have been able to market a government that appeared to do nothing when the country was in need of fiscal reform. Consider this: Liberals were able to survive the backlash of having to cut social spending (and indeed all kinds of spending), a chorus that could have easily sung the fat lady tune for our party; but no...our purpose was in synch with that of Canadians, and we succeeded.

Stephane, and all Liberals, should be proud of that, because it was an achievement that all Canadians sacrificed for. Our loss came not from that imminent backlash against program cuts: it came when we lost purpose.

The latter Chretien years and fully the Martin years were defined moreso by conditions and actions thrust upon us by popular demand. Chretien's defining 2003 refusal on Iraq was a neccessary reaction to the unilateral action of the U.S: didn't create the mission, we simply said no. Same sex marriage was moved first by nearly every provincial court, even the Supreme Court of Canada, before it was decided. Martin was there to watch the vote.

Overall, there was a vacuum left when we had slayed the deficit. Chalk it up to whatever reason you may, we did not switch modes from fiscal savers to social restorers as the vision initially entailed. At the end, we were managers more than leaders, so busy coping with the day-to-day funcion of governing that we forgot why we were doing it.

Stephane's work on the environment came at the tail end of this. Its clear to see that Stephane always saw the environment as his purpose, but it is equally clear that purpose was not generally embraced by the whole government, nor the whole party. For whatever didn't get done we cannot blame only one of us. The Liberal party gets things done when we all buy into a common and focused purpose, and the environment wasnt it.

Stephane is trying to make the envrionment that Liberal purpose, equal to that of fiscal management back in 1993. Its important that Liberals see our need for such a common purpose. No other leadership candidate has stepped up with such a focus on a grand enough issue. The Liberal Party has proven it can get accomplish amazing feats if it has a purpose...environmental sustainability need be that new purpose, and Stephane need be the leader who can express and act on that purpose: our ability to once again realize this party's potential depends wholly on it.

Dion Rocked the Debate!

2006-10-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say that DION absolutely rocked yesterday's debate. I think that Don Newman confirmed what I have thought about Stephane all along... he is such an outstanding individual and would make such a great leader for the Liberal Party (and Prime Minister for Canada, of course) that the only thing Mr. Newman could think of criticizing him for is his "accent francais!" In a country where we celebrate cultural, religious and linguistic diversity, I am surprised to see that so much attention is focused on such a trivial attribute.

Yes, the ability to communicate in French and English is a requisite, in my opinion, to successful leadership of this country. A great leader, however, is not determined by his or her capacity to communicate flawlessly in Canada's two official languages. Rather, it is determined by the candidates aptitude, compassion, honesty, integrity, adaptability and a proven record of success. No other canidadate more closely fits the mold than Dion. Dion proved that yesterday.

Best 3 DION quotes of the debate:
“I’m proud to be a Liberal, and for me it did not take a leadership race for me to say so.”

“I think it's very important to choose a leader who has some credentials regarding fiscal discipline. I was there when the tough decisions had to be made, and I'm very proud of that.”

“I have always been clear and consistent in my words and actions, and I have never had to apologize for any of them.”

I am proud to be Canadian, I am proud to be a Liberal and I am proud to be a Dionista!

-Kaley (AB)

Dog Lovers for Dion Days Looking for Dollars!

2006-10-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Nothing makes for a lovely afternoon blogpost like some excessive illiteration and a grassroots fundraising campaign. So drumroll please...

Hello Fellow Dion Supporters,

Sunday is the last official debate, and the it's the home stretch! Whether your issue is national unity, the environment, beating Stephen Harper in the next election, owning a cute husky dog, Dion's the man for you.

So be the change you wish to see and donate to Equipe Dion. $10, $20, $50, $100, any amount will help. And in case you're still not sure, check out these happy faces and tell me you don't want to be a part of this ;-)

-Denise

so i'm getting writer's block thinking of a title!

2006-10-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

i'm in a meeting this afternoon with one of my professors, trying somehow to get advice and direction for my future -- you know, one of those meetings... and the question of the day comes up -- do i take my LSATs at mcgill in december (at convention) or do i wait until february and get denied entrance to law school because my application won't be completed until too late? ahh.. ... sometimes i wonder about the liberal party! super weekend AND convention on lsat days!

anyways... so this naturally leads to the topic of leadership and i tell her i'm supporting stephane dion. she puts her hands to her face, shakes her head and says... oh, i'm so happy -- in her cute polish accent. he's the only logical choice for the party, she says. i was watching super weekend results very closely, she says.... oh boy, i say, relieved as i hand her my law school referee forms (in a pre-addressed fed-ex envelope) and walk out the door... i thought she was conservative?

debate sunday in TO anyone?

the beautiful appeal of stephane dion

2006-10-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

i am so happy that my undying support is directed at stephane dion. i have received so much praise from friends in other camps for backing such a strong, experienced, and inspiring candidate. i love how everyone can concede that stephane is really the most qualified and suiting candidate to fill the position of leader. driving back from home at the end of this thanksgiving weekend, two friends and i argued over the candidates in the leadership race. each one admitted that dion is the only top-four candidtae without baggage that would prove to be divisive to the liberal party. i guess people really do believe in a united party, a united canada. J'ADORE DION!

Why I'm thankful for being a Dionista

2006-10-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

Richard from Manitoba here.

On this thanksgiving weekend (shout out to the Aboriginal people that "gave" [read had stolen] all this land we live on) I'd like to tell everyone why I'm thankful for being a Dionista:

10. The relief of enviro-guilt (you know, the kind that you get every time you see a smoke stack, or when the tumbleweeds of McDonalds wrappers go rolling by)

9. Knowing that Trudeau federalism is still alive in someone.

8. A charming accent (!) that everyone should adore.

7. Bountiful dog food for Kyoto.

6. Kyoto. (Ya, ya, the vote. We all know that you don't send your campaign manager going door to door during an election. The best thing Stephane could do for Kyoto is to keep on campaigning so he can finish what he could only start with the late (too late), great Project Green.)

5. The elderly lady I drove an hour to pick up to vote for Dion on Super Weekend. I hope I'm graceful and intelligent when I'm old (kind of hard, seeing as I'm neither as of now)

4. The "Liberal on Board" window sticker in the back of my Civic hatchback (keep it small, SUV haters)

3. The fact that the two-year countdown to Bush-free day is going to start soon!

2. Being able to get along with anyone else's leadership camps (I haven't seen a Stop Dion website thus far)

and finally, the #1 reason being a Dionista is so gangsta....

Going to the FRENCH pubs in Montreal with our man!

A New Contest: Where's Waldo (er, Colin)

2006-10-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Following on the heels of the last photo contest, here's another one! Remember how great it was to read those "Where's Waldo" books as a child? Scouring the page for that goofy little face staring back at you? Well look hard at this photo and see if you can find our own youth campaign's Waldo, Colin....

Photo Contest Winner!

2006-10-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

The official winner of our informal "Best Balloon Arch at a Dion Event" Competition is clearly, clearly, clearly North Vancouver. Congratulations!

SuperWeekend Diary: Day 3

2006-10-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

Denise's Day 2 Stats recap (ticker soon to be available):

Hours awake so far: 17
Emails received: 252
Times I was so happy I almost cried: 2
Times I was so stressed I almost threw up: 0
Number of pizza slices I ate: 1
Number of people in campaign office who dissed my music selection: 0
Number of drinks I've had since polls closed (a new ticker feature): 9

So here we are on Sunday night. Hooray, we made it! Not to get too sappy, since politics is "rough-and-tumble," but let me say that I had a lot of good experiences this weekend with a lot of wonderful and respectful people from all camps.

Have a good sleep everyone. We deserve it :-)

Denise

Dion Rocks Nova Scotia Student Clubs

2006-10-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Score one for the Dionista youth team! After all is said and done, Dion took 7 of the 16 student club spots in Nova Scotia. Brison placed second with 6 and Iggy third with 3.

Here's the breakdown for anyone who is interested:

Saint Mary's

Dion 3
Brison 1

St. FX

Dion 2
Brison 1
Iggy 1

Dalhousie

Iggy 2
Dion 1
Brison 1

Acadia

Brison 3
Dion 1

The Bluenose Dionistas are comin to Montreal with a bang!! Watch Out!

Colin Hebb

SuperWeekend Diary: Day 2

2006-09-30T20:33:00.001-07:00

My friends used to think that my involvement in politics was cool. I think it's safe to say that is now no longer the case. Maybe it's the third day in sweatpants (which by the way, I've always thought looked more "athletic" than "pathetic"). Maybe it's the lack of eating/bathing/being physically coordinated. All I know is they've all taken to asking, "So....how did today go?" with the head tilt. Yup, the head tilt.

Denise's Day 2 Stats recap (ticker soon to be available):

Hours awake so far: 20
Emails received: 379
Times I was so happy I almost cried: 1, but it lasted a good 10 min of near-weep, so let's call it 2
Times I was so stressed I almost threw up: 0!
Number of pizza slices I ate: 0!
Number of people in campaign office who dissed my music selection: 2

So generally, regardless of what my friends think, I feel I'm making SuperWeekend progress. Because of that, I've decided to reward myself with a movie. And not just any movie, I'm currently watching "The Peacemaker" starring Nicole Kidman and George Clooney. As someone who saw it three times in the movie theatre, I'm constantly shocked by people's lack of familiarity with it. Russian spies stealing nuclear weapon to deliver to Chechens rebels, straight-laced White House staffer Nicole Kidman growing attracted to bad-boy Colonel George Clooney, and a sweet car scene that sees a Mercedes outmaneuvering three BMWs. You be the judge of what's least realistic.

SuperWeekend Diary: Day 1

2006-09-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like hopping back and forth between the political life and the student one, I've just got to say. One minute you're phone-banking or scrutineering in high-intensity, direct competition and then the next you're helping carry the inebriated to their bed and participating in conversations that start, "So I think it's pretty clear she's got to go with McDreamy, no? I mean, seriously, look at what his wife did to him? He deserves Meredith."

All that aside, a general recap of Day 1:

Hours awake so far: 17
Emails received: 431
Times I was so happy I almost cried: 2
Times I was so stressed I almost threw up: 3
Number of pizza slices I ate: 3
Number of people in campaign office who dissed my music selection: 1

And now I suppose I should try to get some sleep. And by "sleep," I clearly mean lie awake waiting for a time that is socially acceptable to arise and start work for Day 2. I'm going with 7 am.

- Denise

It's a Bird, It's a Plane. No, it's SUPER WEEKEND!

2006-09-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Is it strange and a little sad that I'm way more excited about Super Weekend than I was for my 19th birthday? Probably, but when I went to bed last night, I was like a five year old on Christmas Eve. When I think back to when I came on board this campaign, five months ago, I don't think I could have imagined this situation. Stéphane himself said it best - we started out as a small network, but now we are a nationwide movement.

So, I woke up at 4:45 today, in order to catch my flight back to Calgary. I love BC, but I can do so much more work here. If the flight back was any indication, Equipe Dion is in for a good weekend. I got the emergency exit row (the one with lots of legroom - I'm a tall guy) and headed home to the land of White Stetsons and Cowboy Boots. People don't really think of Alberta as a bastion of Liberalism, but the Liberals we have are dedicated and sharp.

So there are butterflies - there always are before a big day. But it's different from the last federal election. This time, my team has played a good game. We've worked hard, and it's about to pay off. When I joined, Stéphane was the token candidate from Quebec. The obligatory also ran that people tolerated. But look at us now. Youth, across this country, have been working hard during this campaign, and it's about to pay off. So, I feel that I have the right to be a little (crazily) excited. This weekend is going to be good. Just watch us.

-Matthew Naylor, Alberta Logistics Chair

Super Weekend =)

2006-09-29T06:38:00.000-07:00

Cette actuelle course a la chefferie est un bienfait benifique pour le Parti liberal du canada. Et il est finalement temps que ses membres participent activement a ce processus.

J' ai choisi de travailler avec M. Dion ansin que son equipe parce qu' il a une claire vision pour l' avenir de de tous les canadiens et canadiennes. Il nous faut un chef d' experience, rassembleur, passionne et surtout qui est capable de faire face a ce Gouvernement minoritaire de M. Harper.

C' est ma premiere course et elle est tres excitante a certains points. Pour un jeune qui evolue dans un parti politique, c' est la meilleure ecole qui puisse exister!

Bon Super Week end tout le monde!!!
- Melissa (Co-Presidente Jeune National)

Oh, internet, how you can warm my heart

2006-09-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

Anybody who reads my fuddle-duddling will know that I'm all about

this following post. It rocks my socks and hopefully, when I'm on day two with no sleep this "Super" weekend it will keep me phone-banking until my fingers are bruised. Luckily, my thumbs have been in intensive black-berry training for two years now and I can rely on them when the rest of my digits can no longer punch in any more keypad digits. Hahaha, biology pun. Zing!

-Denise

Sept. 26/06 Stephane Dion

Last Changed on: 27 September 2006 (Original post date: 27 September 2006) posted by Steve Paikin

I had never met Stephane Dion before tonight's interview, and I must confess, I wondered why so many pundits were giving this guy such laudatory notices. I had only ever seen him on television, and then again, in short sound bites. Now, having met him, I can see what much of the fuss is about. I always knew he was solid on policy. I wondered about whether his English was strong enough to attract voters in English Canada. I also wondered whether a former Quebec intellectual and academic had the requisite people skills for the job.

If the reaction in our studio today was any indication, the answer is, yes he does have it. Dion entered our studio today and did something almost no politician ever does: he shook hands with all the members of our studio crew. I have interviewed hundreds of politicians in that studio over the past 12 years, and I can count on one hand the number of them that
bothered to introduce themselves to the cameramen and/or other technicians. So right away, the crew was positively disposed to him.

You can judge the interview for yourself, but what impressed me was how quick he was on his feet (or, I guess more accurately, on his seat). His English did seem more than satisfactory to the task. He was charming and amusing in ways I had never seen him before. He also demonstrated an enthusiasm and passion for the job, and all of it on five hours sleep a night.

Dion not only submitted to an interview off the top of the program, but also joined four other analysts in a discussion about where the Liberal Party of Canada is today. I know plenty of politicians who might have begged off tangling with their critics on television on the eve of the most important delegate selection vote of their political careers. But he didn't. I suspect hs overall performance only enhanced his stature with our viewers tonight.

A campaign haiku...

2006-09-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Delegate choosing

Weekend approaching quickly

Need more coffee, please.

Kyoto's Story

2006-09-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

It seems like today all politcal blogs are centered around either reguritating empty policy or blasting opposing candidates with senseless negativity. Some blogs, however, defy this norm. Some blogs, like James Bowie's (whose blog originally posted this story) and Echo CanaDION, refuse to turn politics into a game of slander and try to keep a lighthearted attitude. In the spirit of this, we bring you an update from Stéphane Dion himself about his dog Kyoto.

After the electoral defeat, we (my wife, my daughter and I) were extremely disappointed by the loss, and to boost our spirits, decided to make one of our dreams come true: to get a dog.

Concerned about what the new government would do about climate change, we decided to choose a dog from the North, a Siberian Husky, and to call him Kyoto. He was born on January 15th, 2006.

At the time we thought that since I was no longer a minister, I would be spending more time in my home riding and would be able to help take care of the dog. But I have since decided to enter the leadership race and it is now Kyoto who is taking care of me, more than the opposite!

-Stéphane Dion

Memoirs of a Campaign Intern

2006-09-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

Amidst the political chaos of a Liberal leadership race, its easy to forget that there are, in fact, a great deal of people behind every candidate. The most glamorous of all positions is, obviously, the unpaid campaign intern/university student, and I thought that perhaps the voting public would appreciate a glance into what exactly an average day is like for us here on the Dion campaign.

So I usually wake up around 4am, hit the gym. Stéphane expects his interns to be in peak physical condition so at any time we can retrieve coffee for the office in awe-inspiring speed. Tricep strength is key for sure. Around 7 I'll head over to the campus for a class or two; unfortunately the whole university student deal implies occasional school work. Usually its hard to get a seat on account of the paparazzi. They see a Dion intern coming kilometers off, and I'm often confronted with a barrage of questions like “is it true you're simultaneously dating both Jessica Alba and Heidi Klum?” Don't worry ladies, I'm not. I mean, I was, but it just wasn't working out and I had to break it off. I was just too recognized when we went out.

For lunch I'll usually have some sort of high profile meeting with various political figureheads, I certainly never, ever eat lunch in a cafeteria with a textbook propped over my lunch. Never. I'll probably another class or two in the afternoon, if I'm in the mood. My evenings usually consist in me pouring over political textbooks, writing pages and pages of groundbreaking Liberal policy, and generally working myself cross-eyed. It's pretty sweet.

Hopefully I've shed some light upon the life of an intern: in all seriousness it's really a lot of fun and really great experience. - T.B.

Nice work, BC/ Bon travail C-B!

2006-09-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

LIBERAL PARTY candidates in British Columbia support Stéphane Dion for Leader

-Number of Past and Current Candidates declared for Stéphane Dion is now 10; Most of Any Leadership Candidates

Vancouver, BC (September 15, 2006) – The number of past and current Liberal Party of Canada candidates who have publicly declared their support for Stéphane Dion in British Columbia now totals 10, the highest for any leadership candidate in the race to become Party Leader. Past and current candidates are automatic delegates to the upcoming Leadership Convention, and are a leading indicator of support within the general membership for particular leadership contestants.

Support for Stéphane Dion from past and current candidates comes from all regions of the province. From Prince George Peace River, to Victoria, to Kootenay Columbia, and the Lower Mainland, past and current candidates are declaring that Stéphane Dion is the best choice to become the next Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“No other candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party shows as much promise as Stéphane Dion”, said David Mulroney, Past Candidate from Victoria. Keith Henry, who ran for the Liberal Party in the 2006 Election in the riding of Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows – Mission echoes Mulroney’s sentiments. “His commitment to British Columbia, and our entire nation, is why I’m supporting Stéphane”, said Henry.

Joyce Murray, Co-chair for the Stéphane Dion campaign in B.C. and past candidate in New Westminster-Coquitlam notes that “support for Stéphane extends not only geographically, but demographically as well. He has support from male and female candidates, from the youngest candidates in the province, and from former municipal and provincial politicians who ran under the Liberal Party banner in British Columbia.”

Bill Cunningham, who ran for the Liberal Party in Burnaby Douglas in both the 2004 and 2006 elections, says Dion’s record of service in cabinet and in the Liberal Party, his contribution to national unity, and his Three-Pillar approach to policy continue to draw in new supporters. “Team Dion continues to grow in British Columbia, and having nearly 1/3 of past and current candidates in B.C. publicly declaring their support for Stéphane is extremely encouraging for the campaign”, Cunningham said.

– 30 –

Current British Columbia Past and Current Candidates Endorsing Stéphane Dion:

1) Nathan Bauder – Prince George Peace River
2) Jhim Burwell – Kootenay Columbia
3) Bill Cunningham – Burnaby Douglas
4) Keith Henry – Pitt Meadows Maple Ridge Mission
5) David Mulroney – Victoria
6) Joyce Murray – New Westminster Coquitlam
7) David Perry – Okanagan Coquihalla
8) Gordon Stamp-Vincent – Skeena Bulkley Valley
9) Simon Yu – Prince George Peace River
10) Wendy Yuan – Vancouver Kingsway

LES CANDIDATS DU PARTI LIBÉRAL EN COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE APPUIENT STÉPHANE DION COMME CHEF

- Dix anciens candidats et candidats actuels appuient présentement Stéphane Dion : Le total le plus élevé parmi tous les candidats à l’investiture

Vancouver, Colombie-Britannique (le 15 septembre 2006) – Le nombre d’anciens candidats et de candidats actuels du Parti libéral du Canada en Colombie-Britannique qui ont déclaré publiquement leur appui pour Stéphane Dion s’élève présentement à 10, soit le total le plus élevé parmi tous les candidats à l’investiture. Les anciens candidats et les candidats actuels ont une position assurée à titre de délégué au Congrès d’investiture. De plus, ils représentent très souvent l’opinion des membres du parti concernant l’appui d’un candidat particulier.

L’appui que reçoit Stéphane Dion d’anciens candidats et de candidats actuels provient de tous les coins de la province. Qu’ils viennent de Prince George Peace River, Victoria, Kootenay Columbia ou de la vallée du bas Fraser, les anciens candidats et candidats actuels déclarent que Stéphane Dion représente le meilleur choix comme prochain chef du Parti libéral du Canada.

« Aucun autre candidat à l’investiture n’est aussi prometteur que Stéphane Dion », affirme David Mulroney, ancien candidat dans Victoria. Keith Henry, qui s’est porté candidat pour le Parti libéral aux élections de 2006 dans la circonscription de Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows – Mission est du même avis que M. Mulroney. « J’appuie Stéphane en raison de son dévouement à la Colombie-Britannique et à notre pays », a-t-il dit.

Joyce Murray, coprésidente de la campagne de Stéphane Dion en Colombie-Britannique et ancienne candidate dans New Westminster-Coquitlam ajoute que « l’appui pour Stéphane va au-delà de la géographie et de la démographie. Il est appuyé par les candidats et candidates de la province, par les jeunes candidats ainsi que par les anciens politiciens municipaux et provinciaux libéraux qui se sont portés candidats en Colombie-Britannique ».

Bill Cunningham, qui s’est porté candidat pour le Parti libéral dans Burnaby Douglas aux élections de 2004 et 2006 affirme que Stéphane continue d’attirer de nouveaux partisans en raison de ses antécédents au Cabinet et au Parti libéral, de sa contribution à l’unité nationale et de son approche à trois piliers. « L’équipe Dion connaît une croissance importante en Colombie-Britannique et l’appui public pour Stéphane de près d’un tiers des anciens candidats et candidats courants en Colombie-Britannique est très encourageant pour la campagne », a-t-il conclu.

– 30 –

Anciens candidats et candidats actuels qui appuient présentement Stéphane Dion :

1) Nathan Bauder – Prince George Peace River
2) Jhim Burwell – Kootenay Columbia
3) Bill Cunningham – Burnaby Douglas
4) Keith Henry – Pitt Meadows Maple Ridge Mission
5) David Mulroney – Victoria
6) Joyce Murray – New Westminster Coquitlam
7) David Perry – Okanagan Coquihalla
8) Gordon Stamp-Vincent – Skeena Bulkley Valley
9) Simon Yu – Prince George Peace River
10) Wendy Yuan – Vancouver Kingsway

Big News in NB

2006-09-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Dion campaign in New Brunswick received a huge boost today, as MP Charles Hubbard (L - Miramichi), officially announced his support of Stéphane for the Liberal leadership. Charles is a strong advocate in the Liberal caucus for regional development and support for our rural communities, which is, of course, a big issue here in NB; his support, along with that of former Minister Claudette Bradshaw and Senator John Bryden demonstrates the strength of Stéphane's appeal within the province. The text of the press release:

-----
MP Charles Hubbard announces support for Stéphane Dion for Liberal Leadership

Charles Hubbard, Miramichi Member of Parliament officially announced today his support for Stéphane Dion to become the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He encourages all the delegates to carefully assess the experience, contributions, and successes that each of the candidates bring to the convention in November.

Stéphane has made a significant contribution to our Liberal party and to Canadians. A strong federalist, he joined the Liberal government at a very difficult time for all Quebecers and proceeded to work with all provincial governments to successfully develop the Clarity Act. Experienced in government and strongly committed to the environment, his experiences and publications on sustainability, social justice and the economy portray a strong commitment to work for the success of our nation.

“As an Atlantic Canadian with strong rural roots, I am extremely comfortable with endorsing Stéphane. He has lived and worked in our region and believes that the presence of our government must be reflected in all regions of the country and that federal government jobs must be open to all Canadians”, stated Hubbard. “In the weeks ahead I will assist the ‘Stéphane Dion for Leader’ campaign across Atlantic and rural Canada”.

-----

Charles Hubbard, député de Miramichi. a annoncé aujourd’hui qu’il appuierait Stéphane Dion comme prochain chef du Parti libéral du Canada. Il demande aux délégués d’examiner soigneusement l’expérience, l’apport et les réalisations de chacun des candidats au congrès de novembre prochain.

Stéphane a beaucoup contribué à l’essor du parti libéral et aux Canadiens en général. Fier fédéraliste, il s’est joint au gouvernement libéral à un moment difficile pour les Québécois; néanmoins, il a su travailler avec les gouvernements provinciaux pour rédiger la Loi sur la clarté. Il possède une solide expérience au sein du gouvernement et a démontré son engagement envers l’environnement. Ses compétences et ses écrits sur la durabilité, la justice sociale et l’économie témoignent de sa grande volonté de travailler à la réussite du Canada.

« En tant que Canadien de l’Atlantique, région dont les racines rurales sont profondes, j’ai entièrement confiance en Stéphane. Il a vécu et travaillé dans notre région. Il croit que notre gouvernement doit être représenté dans tous les coins du pays et que les emplois au sein de la fonction publique fédéral doivent être offerts à tous les Canadiens, a déclaré monsieur Hubbard. Au cours des prochaines semaines, j’appuierai la campagne de Stéphane Dion comme chef dans les provinces de l’Atlantique et dans les régions rurales du Canada. »
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- Joel

an SD endorsement of sorts -- tales from a former self-confessed leadership shopper

2006-09-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

"you'll make up your mind when it is painfully clear to you where you should go. not before. that's just you"

simply stated, it took me one hell of a long time to finally get involved on this campaign. and that comment from a friend of mine pretty much summed it up. i've often been told that i am too idealistic for my own good. and, perhaps in this game, i am. but frankly, i don't really care.

i chose stephane dion because i get excited to hear him speak. i like his policies. i like his unwavering support for what he believes in. i love his commitment, dedication, and service to this country. he's the cutest man in the world, and, he reminds me of my dad... my favorite among many other reasons of course....(not to mention that i believe he'd be ready to start the job tomorrow if he had to).

and...i got denise to wash dishes at a dinner party.
wait. isn't that (you know, the whole, successfully "training denise to be domestic") reason enough?

so... here i am... quite happy to be spreading the dionista love.

delia greco
ON youth co-chair

The Little Youth Team That Could

2006-09-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Ever get someone telling you that you aren't going to a leadership convention unless you support their candidate... of course you have. That's how my leadership campaign began way back in April as I was trying to decide who I was going to support.

Long story short... I chose who I thought should be leader instead who I was told to support, defied the elite and now I'm here.

Where is here? Well, here is with a strong group of youth (and some "old" youth) trying to push the Stephane Dion message in Nova Scotia. After my decision, it was not hard to find others who were feeling the same reservations about the establishment candidates and a team began to come together.

Of course, how successful this team actually was will be demonstrated on the last weekend of this month, but I just want to take a moment and say that in Nova Scotia (and probably elsewhere, I guess)... youth rock!

How often do the under 25's get a chance to actually be placed in positions where they are making tough campaign decisions and organizing beyond their normal experience. While we have had a few blips, for the most part, youth have risen up and done the job, just as well (if not better in a few cases) than some adult members may have done.

I'm not advocating a youth takeover of the party in any form, but I think that those in certain ridings who strongly believe that youth belong in the grunt section, not the "thinking" team, need to wake up and start paying attention to what is going on.

Youth bring new ideas, new energy and a fresh new perspective. The world is changing and therefore, so must campaigns. There are still ridings out there who believe putting their candidate's information on the internet is a waste of time and money... Ask a youth where the first place they go to get candidate info is..

In Nova Scotia, we are proving that youth can do it too. Let's just hope certain people take notice.

- Colin Hebb

Big Leadership News in the small town of Rosalind, AB

2006-09-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

It's no Lethbridge, but Rosalind got some big ups yesterday when LPCA President Adam Campbell endorsed Stéphane Dion for Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, joining Liberal Party of Canada (British Columbia) President Jamie Elmhirst and Saskatchewan Liberal Party Leader David Karwacki, who also both recently endorsed Dion.

Fun factoid about Rosalind: they have bentonite exploration there. As many of you may know, bentonite is the stuff they put in commercial milkshakes to make them thick. If you've ever been curious as to why a McDo' milkshake can be poured onto the pavement in the hot sun for several hours and doesn't quite seem to melt, bentonite is your answer. Mmmmm...chemicals!

Other prominent Alberta Liberals also supporting Stéphane Dion include Calgary Mountain View MLA Dr. David Swann, eight current riding association presidents, me, my mom, and my dad. I can't believe we didn't put my parents on the part of the release listing "prominent" supporters...

- Denise

Équipe Dion- forum d’investiture à Québec

2006-09-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome/Bienvenue

2006-09-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Dion Campaign's Youth blog. We'll be giving you day-by-day play-by-play of the campaign and other rhyming activities. We will also be discussing ideas, policies, our perceptions of the race in general, as well as casually alluding to the occasional inside joke. Unless of course the joke is too embarrassing not to share with the entire blogosphere, in which case we will be carefully explaining what exactly on the campaign was so funny and who it makes look the dumbest...

So here we are. Blogging. Yup. Bloggin' up a storm...

Is it just me or is blogging kind of like going to a museum? It seems like such a neat and useful exercise until you actually start "doing it" and then you're just sort of left silently twiddling your thumbs, attempting to guise the fact you're intellectually intimidated, and with nothing of any substance floating around in your brain.

That's when I like to turn to the person next to me and say, "Hmmmm... you know, this work strikes me as significantly more tortured than his/her other pieces." And then I slowly back away.

And here I am, now, slowly backing away...

- Denise Brunsdon, National Director of the Youth Campaign and Sub-Director of Awesome References to Rick Springfield