Stéphane Dion Elected Liberal Leader
The Liberal Party of Canada has elected Stéphane Dion as leader in last weekend's leadership convention. The Canadian-American congratulates him for his achievement and hopes that he will help encourage rational debate in the House of Commons. However, this blog also hopes he will living at Stornoway for the foreseeable future.
A former Environment Minister, a major plank in Dion's platform is environmental protection. While fighting threats such as global warming is essential, Dion supports doing so through dubious means, including the Kyoto (his dog's name) Protocol. And of course, 12 y of Liberal government has done little to help Canada meet its emissions targets. Instead of viewing Kyoto as the standard for addressing one of our century's greatest challenges, North America (in cooperation with its economic partners) needs to accelerate its transition away from fossil fuels at the fastest rate its innovators can provide. Simply meeting artificial targets should be viewed as mediocrity and dithering where we can afford none.
While he has a clean record, Dion's ties to the Chrétien government does not inspire confidence in the Liberal Party's leadership. Clearly, it is not the desire of the party elite to bring in fresh leadership. The Canadian people didn't send the Liberals to the penalty box in the last election to get more of the same in the next.
While the Canadian electorate is ultimately charged with making this assessment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has demonstrated the strength of his leadership throughout his 10 month tenure. He has consistently articulated a Canada which is strong yet compassionate, one which leads rather than follows and one which remembers its traditions. For these and additional reasons, The Canadian-American once again renews its support for Prime Minister Harper and wishes him a majority in the next election, whenever it takes place.
A former Environment Minister, a major plank in Dion's platform is environmental protection. While fighting threats such as global warming is essential, Dion supports doing so through dubious means, including the Kyoto (his dog's name) Protocol. And of course, 12 y of Liberal government has done little to help Canada meet its emissions targets. Instead of viewing Kyoto as the standard for addressing one of our century's greatest challenges, North America (in cooperation with its economic partners) needs to accelerate its transition away from fossil fuels at the fastest rate its innovators can provide. Simply meeting artificial targets should be viewed as mediocrity and dithering where we can afford none.
While he has a clean record, Dion's ties to the Chrétien government does not inspire confidence in the Liberal Party's leadership. Clearly, it is not the desire of the party elite to bring in fresh leadership. The Canadian people didn't send the Liberals to the penalty box in the last election to get more of the same in the next.
While the Canadian electorate is ultimately charged with making this assessment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has demonstrated the strength of his leadership throughout his 10 month tenure. He has consistently articulated a Canada which is strong yet compassionate, one which leads rather than follows and one which remembers its traditions. For these and additional reasons, The Canadian-American once again renews its support for Prime Minister Harper and wishes him a majority in the next election, whenever it takes place.
posted by E. J. Neafsey | 01:37
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