The last time he spoke in the House of Commons was last week during the Quebecois nation debate. His speech lasted about eight minutes, was made to a largely-empty House, and just four or five Liberal MPs went to sit behind him while he spoke, to give the illusion of an audience.
Today we were all reminded what a bizarre business politics is. As the moment for Stephane’s arrival neared, the public galleries at both ends filled. Then the narrow and chamber-wide press gallery – which almost always is totally empty – was suddenly full of reporters. But these were not just normal reporters. Instead, the heavy artillery. Jeffrey Simpson. Keith Boag. Susan Delacourt. Bob Fife. Julie van Deusen, Lawrence Martin. Paul Hunter.
In the member’s gallery on the west side of the House, overlooking the Liberal benches, another overflowing crowd, among them Lib contenders Gerard Kennedy and Martha Hall Findlay. There was well was veteran MP and Dion architect Don Boudria, plus the party’s new national president and the Dion family.
He enters from the most unobtrusive angle – from behind the curtains – and makes his way to the seat in the front just vacated by interim leader Bill Graham. The Liberal MPs burst into applause, which catches fire on the other side, spreads quickly to the NDP, and then even ignites among the Bloc Quebecois. The whole House of Commons is now standing, then Harper, Layton and Duceppe make their pilgrimage forward, shaking the new Liberal leader’s hand.
The transformation from quasi-interesting former cabinet minister to political superstar is completed, and laid out beside Dion is his new front bench – those who made the journey to Montreal with him. Dryden. Brison. Ignatieff. Volpe. I look up again at Hall Findlay and Kennedy, applauding above, and realize the only contender not in the room is Bob Rae.
Dion stands, puts the first question. Harper gives the first answer, wishing Dion well and saying he hopes he’ll be living in Stornaway, the residence of the opposition leader, “for a very long time.â€
37 comments ↓
Stephane Dion will need a little time to adjust; he is probably as surprised as anyone else to suddenly be Leader. As a less known new leader with obvious integrity he gives the Liberals a fresh new face and a chance at a new start. People clearly want change and he is a big change. Like Garth Turner he is strong on the environmental issues and he is bright and independent thinking, not part of the party establishment. Hopefully he will give Liberal MPs freedom to express themselves. I can see hope for the Official Opposition and Independent MPs to work together to force the Government of Stephen Harper to do more for the environment. The London by-election message of Elizabeth May and her Green Party is clearly getting through, at least to the Liberals.
…and well he may be. For political junkies it should be a very interesting few months ahead indeed! I wish him well, but not too well!
Let’s see how he performs. Millions of Canadians are watching.
I listened to Jean Chretien the other day as he told the story of how Mssr Stephane Dion came to be called by the then PM after the referendum – As Chretien said it was Madame Chretien who remarked on the courage of the man and that was all it took for PM Chretien to reach for the phone and arrange for Professor Dion to come for a meeting on parliament hill and the rest they say is history. I personally see the hand of destiny here and it couldn’t come at a more opportune time in my opinion because there are segments of our society that are suffering,there is much regional disparity. Here in Alberta where water sells in the store for about 2 dollars a litre and gas is about 1 dollar a litre -we are using 2 barrels of water to produce one barrel of oil- we have a total of 14 large strip mines planned to start pumping 5 million barrels of oil per day in the Ft McMurray area in the next five years. Right now we are not sustainable environmentally we are already contributing 10 % of all the air pollution in Ontario never mind Alberta because of the prevailing winds. We need to become sustainable -Green Lib ,neocon -Somebody better figure this out soon because the multinationals don’t care about the kids with asthma or the mass destruction of an incredible eco-system. The royalty regime is a joke we are mortgaging our kids future for pennies on the barrel. Somebody better step up soon -If it is Ed great or Dion even better but it better be soon.
The man can’t speak English,, Chretien spoke it better
Great reporting, Garth. Thank you.
what a relieve……that Rae and that horrible Ignatieff did not get in……
Sara, a few comments:
1. Of course he can.
2. Have you ever listened to Chretien?
3. What the hell does it matter?
I’ve got to say Garth, if you’ve done one thing – you’ve engaged people in the political process. I look forward to your daily blogs and am interested in the comments that follow. (Don’t always agree with everyone, but find them quite interesting…) I think you’ve succeeded in including people in what’s going on and allowing their voices to be heard. I’d be very interested to hear what the voter turnout is in Halton in the next election compared to the rest of the country.
I think most people underestimated Dion, myself included. I also think that he is going to be the best choice the Liberals have made in a long time. He will be totally underestimated by the CPC. They have this “he man” mentality that is so opposite what Dion is about they will simply think that they can just “walk all over him” in the end he will simply “walk around them” and take the election.
He is onto the most important issue of our time and that is the environment … and I mean sustainable environmental development which includes an economic plan that will actually allow the economy to surge ahead. THe CPC don’t even understand this concept at and they will be left behind …. Just like George and his cronies down south!
Thanks Garth. Your blog is my introduction to politics and, much to my surprise, my interest is growing. I’m trying to figure out how to communicate to my MP that I feel your style of internet communication is vitally important and that I want him to do the same, in his own way. But… 1. I don’t yet know how to articulate what you do, and 2. My MP is Michael Ignatieff. Sigh.
Just listening to a radio phone in show from Toronto. Interesting to learn that Stephane Dion is also a citizen of France. Gee…. this certainly has been kept under wrap. Apparently he was born in Quebec but “sought out” French citizenship according to Ezra Levant who wrote the article pertaining to the above. What does this mean… does this mean Dion has mixed loyalties. Oh man… just what we need in a potential Prime Minister. Watch this story come forth in the media real soon !!!
Paul-ON
How many would want to have Stephane Dion’s responsibilities right now?
Note, with the position comes the responsibility, and bear wrestling is a tough game!
I am pleased more than I expected to be regarding Day One!
lol David
Paul
A lot of Canadians who have a parent or grandparent who came to Canada are allowed to apply for citizenship of that country.That’s probably Dion’s case.It allows them and their children to work in European Union countries without work visa’a or landed immigrants cards.
Sort of like the Lebanese issue we discussed here a while ago except they can work anywhere in Europe.
Its not really news but no one really cared before now….
interesting:
“Re: Dual citizenship:
Stephane Dion, Liberal wannabe leader/Prime Minister of Canada holds dual citizenship:
France and Canada.
Would Dion place France’s interests above/before Canada’s interests?
This is not an hypothetical question, to wit: Fishing.
3w.flagspot.net/flags/pm.html
Extract:
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (France)
Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
In 1977, Canada increased its jurisdiction to 200 nautic miles. Saint-Pierre did the same but a dispute started because of the proximity of Newfoundland. The crisis grew more acrimonious when Canada decided to avoid overfishing. In 1987, the French trawlers were no longer allowed to call at the Canadian ports. The islanders started the “Codfish Crusade” and fished into forbidden areas. The French trawlers were inspected, fishers and elected members were jailed in Canada. In 1994, France and Canada signed an agreement that suppressed the industrial fishing in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
Posted by: maz2 at October 25, 2006 10:03 AM”
link
http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/004848.html
If there were an election coming soon and I’m asked to choose between the Bully from Alberta, the Geek from Quebec and the A$$ from Ontario I know where my vote would go. I thought Mr Layton churlish behavour in not first congratulating Mr Dion before making that so called gaffe. In my opinion it was just a ploy to grab headlines, thankfully it didn’t work. Mr Layton doesn’t have the excuse of it not being his first language. I too would like to thank Mr Turner for giving “WE the people ” a voice.
Paul, I wouldn’t hold my breath about Dion holding a France citizenship making it to the media. The media have been really soft on him, its clear the leftwing bias is out there.
Paul,
“Ezra Levant” That sure makes me go Oh Wow! Credible source for sure! NOT!
If the accusation is true then Golly, Gee Whiz, what does it mean? Does Iggy hold Dual Citizenship too? Who else?
Much to do about nothing…as usual!
Next up…Harper declares himself a ‘citizen’ (which he is) of the Nation of Alberta!
My name is Karim Kanji. I live in the Scarborough-Agincourt Riding. Jim Karygiannis is the Liberal MP here. My question to the new leader of the Liberal party:
Will Stephane Dion renounce his France citizenship?
Regards,
Karim
“Hopefully he will give Liberal MPs freedom to express themselves.” –Murray Miskin.
His first test will be on the SSM vote.
One thing I admired about old JC was that he only lied out of one side of his mouth!
Even then he was hard to understand. Dion is at least honest about his English skills and working hard on them.
Like an article I read the other day regarding the change in the Queen’s English.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/04/queen.accent.ap/index.html
No big deal. We all change over time and according to need.
“Stephane Dion is also a citizen of France.”
He also voted in favour of the Quebecois as a nation within Canada resolution, which did not sit well with many of you because Stephen Harper supported it, but apparently it does not bother you at all that Stephane Dion supported it, and even advised Stephene Harper on it.
Suddenly and apparently, that is no longer an issue, or is it?
Dion was the environment minister after Kyoto was signed. Did nothing to improve emissions. When he was the unity minister, we had the Adscam in Quebec, and I don’t recall him ever taking any responsibility at all.
Interesting to note that Dion will whip his party to vote against the motion to revisit homosexual marriage. I guess that’s alright with Garth and the media as they don’t seem to be speaking out against this as they did when the motion about the quebecois nation came out.
“Harper declares himself a ‘citizen’ (which he is) of the Nation of Alberta!”
Source?
I think Mr. Dion response to SH comment about “a long time in Stornaway”, should have been, “In some parts of the world, tennants have to redecorate before they leave. What colour do you want for Stornaway’s drapes!” “I’d like red at 22 Sussex!”
“what a relieve……that Rae and that horrible Ignatieff did not get in……”
I am afraid that that “horrible Ignatieff” has had his Common’s seat moved to sit next to Stephane Dion in the front row of the Official Opposition. How horrible!
Wasn’t it the Liberal Pettigrew who had an apartment in Paris that he shared with a member of his staff? And also took that member with him on trips at taxpayers’ expense?
Dion was the environment minister after Kyoto was signed. Did nothing to improve emissions
Since Canada has an international reputation for keeping it’s word and the Conservatives have been in power since last January in fairness, my question is what has Rona done for the environment or our international reputation?
Sean ~ “Paul, I wouldn’t hold my breath about Dion holding a France citizenship making it to the media. The media have been really soft on him, its clear the leftwing bias is out there.”
Well I imagine it’s just not that big a deal. It’s not the same thing, but you all remember Gov. Arnold in California? He’s from Austria, but he’s now a political power in the US….
Dion situation is a bit Bass-Akwards, but if people start bickering about this….. man… talk about nit-picking…. get over it.
You know what really grinds my gears?
When it comes to polotics, those who are in it are analyzed with a friggin blue-ray beam.
“Oh… he smoked pot”
“Oh… He’s got a citizenship in France”
“Oh…. he’s been divorced”
“Oh…. he’s lost his kids”
“Oh…. He’s left handed”
WHO CARES!?
If they can do the job and do the job right, then what the hell does it matter if the guy is a vegitarian or he picks his nose with his pinky finger?
Frig… good people and poloticians who can probably make a difference in this country get booted and scaled in the media for the most irrelevent things that don’t really have any effect on their ability to do their job.
I’m not saying Dion can do a great job (I know nothing of the guy) ~ But who gives a rat’s arse if he’s got a citizenship in France?
Are you afraid he’s gonna send secrets to France and let them invade us?
So what if Dion is a dual citizen .
He taught at a school in Paris for a long time and probably found it more convenient to hold the French passport for all kinds of reasons .
The first I can think of is taxes .
Dion’s English is better than Harper’s French. He has lived in Quebec City where everyone speaks French. His English will improve-besides he communicates fine. I am an Anglophone living in Vancouver. I find he communicates fine. Quebecers appreciate intellect and this man is brilliant, sleeps 4 hours a night, knows his file and is diligent and works hard. If he has a weakness it is that he gets frustrated with people who aren’t prepared. He is passionate about environmental issues. There were a lot of things in the works before Harper cancelled every environmental program. The department of the environment is viewed by the Conservatives as an “enemy”. Scientists are frustrated that they can’t do anything. It’s the same in the U.S.
There has been a generational shift, the old boys club is gone, the “youth vote” went to Gerard Kennedy – it is obvious all his delegates went to Dion.
Dion is humble and not about “spin” – this is a very serious guy. I had joined the Green Party to vote Elizabeth May in so there would be a voice on the environment. I am delighted that Dion is now leader and in the next election I will vote Liberal. They have a lot of work ahead of them. Go and see Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” at the end he tells the audience (assuming they are young) go and tell your parents. The old guard would not do anything about the environment but Dion will make this a priority. This is not a man that the oil patch can buy. He knows the world better than he knows Canada and the fight for a sustainable future is a global one. I attended the United Nations conference this summer and it was a wake up call for me – the rest of the world is working together on environmental issues. Canada is an embarrassment on the world stage. Everyone is asking “what’s with you guys”?
Dion will set very high standards for his caucus. Politics is going to get very interesting.
Re: the dual citizenship – I better you half of Canadians or their parents have dual citizenship. The man taught in Paris – anyone of us would have taken out citizenship there. My family lived in the U.S. for 3 years so we took out dual citizenship – doesn’t mean I support George Bush.
To Elizabeth
You say “This is not a man that the oil patch can buy.”
Of course what comes out in this comment is the Harper is bought?
I wonder why you say that?
I will tell you my experience -(Now of course all you anti-Alberta Anti-oil folks will likely shout me down without even considering my honest comments) but here goes anyway.
When I was in the industry we alway used to wonder why we never seemed to be heard by Ottawa – we were very poor at communicating – A bunch of engineers is probably the problem — we tend to look at practical rather than political view). We never seemed able to convince them of anything. We took media courses because we were so bad in front of the cammeras etc. etc. But in the practical vs Political the practical view always came to the fore. Therefore then and now no matter what industry says people don’t believe it.
Take the recent trust adventure. — If the Conservatives were bought the Oil trusts would have been exempt.
Okay have at me with your insults
The oil and gas industry continue to receive subsidies and environmental programs are cancelled. Where’s the justice in that? The Athabasca River is being drained to clean the oil sands once they are extracted and communities in the north are having their natural resources destroyed, i.e.,water, fishery. The world can live without “oil” but it can’t live without “water”. I am not against the oil and gas industry – it needs to be done in a more sustainable way that protects the environment for future generations. We all personally need to take responsibility. I recycle everything, carry groceries in a backpack & reuse plastic bags, I have a 35 minute walk to work, when the weather is good I cycle and I am 60 years of age. I donate money monthly to environmental organizations that are making a difference. We all need to do our part.
I’m encouraged by Dion’s environmental leanings. We have a long way to go, though. I used to recycle more. But then I saw what happens to it… We used to own a small garbage pick up business (not standard service in rural areas) and one day while dumping trash at the dump another truck pulled up beside ours. Dumped a full load of recyclables right there. Asking the folks who work there at the dump, they said “it happens all the time.” So don’t be fooled. We have a LONG way to go.
Vancouver was voted the most sustainable city in Canada and we are working on it. Maybe the beautiful scenery makes us appreciate the environment more. We have David Suzuki here. UBC started the first Sustainability Office in Canada and the professors have had huge impact on youth. See Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” in the end he tells young people to tell their parents to see the film, assuming the older generation aren’t very hip. It is an inconvenient truth. Gore’s sister died of lung cancer and his parents big family farm grew tobacco – they connected the dots and it was an “inconvenient truth” for them to give up the family farm. Let’s do it for our kids. We only have a couple of decades left. Look at the weather in Vancouver, boiled water advisory, pine beetles have eaten up the forests, moving towards Alberta, salmon stalks down because of increase in water temperature, plus low water table. The Athabasca river in Alberta is being drained by the oil & gas industry, effecting fish stocks there as well as lakes & streams of First Nations – their livelihood. What will it take for the world to wake up!
Clearly Elizabeth has not visted the frasier valley in the summer =P
*cough*
Also new evidence is showing that its greenie lets-interfere-with-forest-fires policy is causing the pine beetle problems. Also, alberta has now and has always had pine beetles, they just dont have a problem with em. They’re not like some pest thats going to jump the border like illegal immigrants, they’re here already. If we’d stop putting out forest fires, and stopped building cities at the top of treed hills, then we wouldnt have so many problems.
I’m not saying global warming isnt a problem, it is, but don’t use a lot of localized issues that can’t be conclusively linked as a scare-tactic to support the cause.
co2 is out of control. period. its time to go carbon neutral, but we’re not doing this? why? well, because people, like yourself dont support it. They don’t buy biodiesel cars, they don’t buy flexfuel cars, they wont pressure the govt to subsidize the hydrogen economy to even a fraction of how the oil and gas sector is. (petro-canada, how about hydrogen-canada.. cmon)
If we were worried about it, we’d jack the rate for consumer hydro-electricity where that electricity is produced by carbon-emitting processes. We’d subsidize the alternative fuel industry and we’d create legislation saying any auto manufacterer must have a hydrogen design for sale under $x by 2015.
But we don’t do this; and even the greenies don’t ask for it. They just want to hug a tree and drive their vw vans thousands of miles to get in the way of logging trucks.
Cmon now. If you want change, start in your own backyard. Are you carbon neutral?