The UOYL Welcomes Garth!

The University of Ottawa Young Liberals welcome Garth Turner, MP for Halton to the Liberal Caucus. Mr. Turner has garnered much respect for his integrity in standing up for principle and serving his constituents. He is also well known for his work on the environment. He is a Great Parliamentarian and Canadian, and will be an asset to the Liberal Party. Welcome!

Mackenzie Johnson
President, UOYL

Will a real leader please stand up?

Its not just about Action...Its about Responsibility!!
So will this government ever accept that it has a responsibility to serve the Canadian public??

This government took office nearly a year ago. Sure they have a limited 5 issue agenda (Health Care has mysteriously not seen any action however). Harper, you are Canada's Prime Minister and are the head of the government. You are no longer the "NEW" Prime Minister, nor is this Canada's "NEW" Government. I think a Cabinet shuffle is the final straw that proves you know how to govern. Drop this innocent... new kid on the block attitude and start taking responsibility for your actions and for the issues of the day!!

The Harper government has continuously been the subject of criticism for its handling of the environment file. They have slashed previous initiatives and they have put forth their own Clean Air Act. Needless to say, this Act fell far short of par. Yet this government cannot seem to accept that they have a responsibility to act on this issue. Their excuse... The Liberals didn't do enough. Well, I'm sorry, you were given a mandate by the Canadian people to serve them. Despite what conservative call Liberal shortcomings, they are now the government and part of what it means to govern is to take responsibility for the issues of the day.

I thought after a cabinet shuffle, they might finally accept responsibility. But no, a PMO spokesperson is quoted in the Globe and Mail that the Liberals set unrealistic targets, that the Liberals were the ones who didnt achieve it. Well I am sorry, but Canadians are hardly concerned with your partisan views. They dont give a crap what the Conservatives feel towards the Liberals. The simple fact is that they want you, Canada's established government, to take responsibility for these issues rather than continuously washing your hands of them! The Conservatives ran a campaign that they were going to stand up for Canada...

Will a real leader please stand up??

By the UofO Liberal

Not a creature was stirring...

Well, seeing as Stephen Harper is somewhat larger than a mouse, it seems that more Canadians would have picked up on the three rather significant moves made by Harper over the Christmas seasons.

Harper's first move, which to me came out of nowhere, was the appointment of an advisory panel on the matter of stem cell research and reproductive technology. Now, I have no issue with the formation of this panel, in fact I think it is a good thing. Stem cell research and reproductive technology give rise to a medly of moral and ethical issues that continue to challenge our society, and it is only fitting that our nation's leader have a group of experts to advise him on such matters. What worries me is the composition of this panel. There is not one member of this ten member panel who is a scientist in the field, or any proponents of abortion, stem cell research or reproductive technology. In fact, they are all physicans who are against such things, or conservative bioethicists. Now, my problem is not that these individuals are represented, in fact I think that their views should be heard. However, I do not believe that their views should be represented exclusively, as this is counterproductive and irresponsible, as it does not give a medium for the voices of those who are opposed to Stephen Harper's right wing, neo-conservative views of such things. Though, it's not like he would listen anyway.

The second move I found to be rather interesting was his party's move to finally fess up and obey the law on political donations with respect to conventions. The Conservatives admitted that $913 710 worth of donations collected as convention fees in 2005 were collected illegally, and also refunded certain funds to three members who attended the convention, our Rt. Hon. Prime Minister among them. In addition to this, they piggy-backed a previously unknown $539 915 in donations and expenses that were made in contravention of the law. Folks, that's half a million dollars out of nowhere. We have no idea where the donations are from, or what the "expenses" are. Nice of Harper to slip that into the media while most Canadians are somewhat more concerned about their families and turkeys, as they should be.

Finally, and while this decision is not exclusively the PM's, it does smell like a keg of bad fish, Canada's Chief Electoral Officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, has announced his resignation. He tendered his letter before the holidays, but the PM decided to sit on it for a week to release it just after boxing day. Very interesting again, trying to slip more news that could cause him some political discomfort in while no one is watching. I'll have more to say about the Kingsley matter in another post, I think it's quite significant, espescially what with Harper's previous voicing of his feelings towards Kingsley.

All in all, I thought I would toss this up to try to flush out some of the truly transparent and accountable behaviour of our govermnent. Hah, I've seen more transparency from a brick wall, and more accountability from a six-month old. Here's hoping for better in 2007.

Bring it on!

Well I think this famous picture speaks more than a thousand words!

Stéphane Dion has appointed Michael Ignatieff as his Deputy Leader. This is going to be a strong pairing as we tango with the Conservatives over the next couple of months prior to a general election. Both are strong intellectuals and both have strong complimentary visions for this great country. The two finalists left a very difficult decision for party members, but now we have both visions represented in the forefront of our party. With more leadership roles to be announced tomorrow, Harper had better look out, cause HERE WE COME!!!

Posted by: The UofO Liberal

Email Etiquette Please!

As is always the case when a new leader takes office, that people jockey for positions in the party. For the most part these actions go unnoticed to the public eye. Unfortunately this was not the case for Karen Redman MP for Kitchener Centre as an email she sent to a family member was sent to many Senators and found its way to the media. She was asking advice on how to approach Stephane Dion about the Deputy Leader position.

As funny as this gaffe is, I must say that we are not ones to criticize her. How many times have we all been there, sending a very private and confidential email and it ends up going to everyone around the office? I wish her all the best as she tries not to turn red in the face at the next caucus meeting.

All About Adam

Hey folks, in honour of the one week anniversary of the end of the leadership convention, here's a special series called "All About Adam" showing the wonderfully mysterious adventures of the UOYL's very own Adam LeClair!

Adam gets lost and travels back to 1968.

Adam with the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, P.C.

Adam with the Hon. Scott Brison, P.C., M.P.

Adam with Michael Ignatieff, M.P.

Adam with the Hon. Ken Dryden, P.C., M.P.

Adam with Justin Trudeau.

Adam with the Hon. Brian Tobin, P.C.

Adam with the Hon. Bill Graham, P.C., M.P.

Adam with Rick Mercer.

Adam with the Hon. Belinda Stronach, P.C., M.P.

Adam delivering a 'Clintonesque' address.

Adam with the Hon. Mauril Bélanger, P.C., M.P.

Adam with the Hon. Senator Roméo Dallaire.

Here's to a renewed, united Party.

Posted by the Alberta Correspondent.

Tous Ensembles!!! Tous Ensembles!!!

"Tous Ensembles!!!" Those words were coined by Mr. Ignatieff in his speech friday night, but rang high and loud from all Liberals as they returned home from the convention.

The convention was a life changing experience inspiring us all, Liberals and Canadians, that politics matter!! Many people attributed Mr. Dion's victory as a grassroots revolution. But I contend that this leadership race, all its candidates were supported by, and the entire renewal process was based on the "grassroots"!

This race has been about ideas. Every candidate brought with them their strengths and their weaknesses. But together, they, and the Liberal Party are stronger than any other! The final ballot was a nail bitter, and it was a choice for two complimentary visions for this country! Liberals were not voting for Michael Ignatieff or Stéphane Dion, but for the vision of the Party.

Michael Ignatieff lead this race from the moment he announced his candidacy to that fateful third ballot. That is quite a feat for a newcomer to politics. His campaign was filled with vision and ideas, and there was no shortage of controversy. Stéphane Dion was the 4th place underdog and ran a quiet campaign (that, or the media was just too busy following Michael, haha) which was also filled with a great and powerful vision for Canada. There could not have been a greater, nor a more difficult moment for Liberals then to have to choose between two great messages, two great visions, and two great men! Regardless of what was to be the outcome of that fourth and final ballot, it was going to be a victory for liberal values in Canada.

I entered this race as a Michael Ignatieff supporter and attended the convention as a delegate for him. It has been a great honour to participate in this process. It was a very emotional moment for all liberals on the convention floor when the final results were read. Tears and screams filled the room as supporters of both men rose to their feet to celebrate victory for the Liberal Party.

I was deeply moved by Michael Ignatieff's endorsement of Stéphane Dion. "I declare these results UNANIMOUS!" - Ignatieff. Mr. Ignatieff showed all Liberals why he was supported right to the final ballot through his gracious and dignified endorsement.

Later that evening, Michael entered the Delta hotel, alone with his wife at his side. No reporters, no cameras, no security. He then spoke to a very emotional crowd, bringing most anyone in sight to tears. He embraced his great following of supporters and together we screamed "Tous Ensemble!!!" He then asked every liberal to look forward behind our new leader, a great man, Stéphane Dion.

It was funny to see the media on Sunday. Everyone was questioning whether or not Michael would remain in politics or skip town like his critics were purporting. These questions were asked because no media was there to hear his final speech to his troops. He thanked all his supporters and then Michael Ignatieff announced he would "not be going ANYWHERE" and that he was staying involved in the public life of Canada!

So where do we go from here? As that fourth ballot was read, we ceased to be Rae Liberals, Dryden Liberals, Ignatieff Liberals or Dion Liberals. We officially became Liberals! Canadians asked the Liberal Party to renew itself. We answered! The Party revolutionized the way it operates through the adoption of a completely new constitution. Next the Party has come together behind a new Party President under the Honourable Senator Marie Poulin. The chief of the backroom is once again a woman! Finally we elected a new leader to put a fresh face on the Liberal Party of Canada.

Un Parti Uni pour un Canada Uni, Tous Ensemles!!!

Posted by the UofO Liberal

100 Posts!!!

The University of Ottawa Young Liberals have made their 100th Posting on this Blog! Very fitting that the posting should be about the Liberal Leadership!

New Leader, New Party

Well folks, it has been a long, hard-fought four days, and Stéphane Dion is now our new leader, after four ballots of voting, winning over the once-frontrunner Michael Ignatieff. He won wth 2521 votes, which as 437 votes over the required amount to win the leadership. With Stéphane's victory, the party's grassroots have clearly and decisively taken back control of the Party's governance mechanisms.

This movement started on Thursday, when there was an attempt to reform the current method of the selection of our leader from the delegated convention style currently used by our Party, to proposed weighted one-member-one-vote system. Those speaking in favor of and pushing the motion were entirely MPs, Riding Presidents and National Executive members. Those speaking against (with the exception for the former Member for Gatineau Françoise Boivin, and the U of O's current Member of Parliament, Mauril Bélanger) were entirely grassroots members. The grassroots felt they were being forced into something they were not prepared for, and rose up and rejected this proposal.

The second time this movement flexed its muscle was when Party mebers elected the Honourable Senator Marie Poulin as their new President. The Senator ran a fierce, grassroots campaign, based on contacting every single delegate, and shaking every single hand that could be shook. Her platform involved giving power back to the people in clear, measurable ways, and she emphasized the need for the grassroots to be heard. The people heard her, and put her in a position to see these plans to their most needed fruition.

And finally, to complete the trifecta, was the triumphant conclusion of Stéphane Dion's rise from also-ran in April, to the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition today. While faced by two front-runners that boasted of a full roster of caucus support, Dion had very few caucus supporters, gaining most of his strength from grassroots ex-officio members. Next, he received the endorsement of Martha Hall-Findlay, who's campaign on her Big Red Bus is the epitome of a grassroots campaign. Though Martha's contingent was small, they believed in Stéphane and endorsed him resoundingly, providing him with the momentum to solidify his grip on third place on the second ballot. At the risk of sounding partisan, I will say that seeing Martha and Stéphane walk off the Big Red Bus together was one of my proudest moments as a liberal to date. Even if I had to freeze in the chilly Montréal winter weather for quite some time to see it!

Next was The Endorsement of the evening. When Gerard Kennedy made an incredibly mature political move and pulled out of the race to endorse Stéphane. His support followed him, as it was clear that the kind of grassroots revolution he wanted could be accomplished best with Stéphane. Make no mistake, these two will constitute a formidable team over the coming years. They are two men who came into this game with little support from "the establishment", and rocked our Party to its core. The grassroots momentum of Dion's campaign was further evidenced continued growth and momentum, passing Ignatieff on the third ballot, and taking it home on the fourth.

So what does this mean for our Party? It means we need to think of a new way of doing business. Who would've known that Carolyn Bennett's calls for greater attention to the grassroots, the source of all power, would ring so loud and clear here in Montréal. There is no more Old Boys Club. We are one group, one family, and we will stand united behind Stéphane as he leads us to victory against Stephen Harper in the next election, and into many prosperous years in government after that.

Posted by: The Alberta Correspondent