2009-05-07 Convention Update

VANCOUVER – Riding presidents from Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent-Essex and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex were among the 3,000 delegates attending the federal Liberal biennial convention in Vancouver last week, all calling for a new politics, as Michael Ignatieff reached out to Canadians with his vision for the future of the country as delegates voted 97 percent in favour of confirming him as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

"As the Harper Conservatives prepare millions of dollars worth of negative attack ads to be shown this summer attacking Mr. Ignatieff, we call for a new politics of hope and vision," said Mike Ferguson, president of LKM federal Liberals, joined by Gloria Cayea, president of Sarnia-Lambton, and Dominic DoForno, Chatham-Kent-Essex (pictured).

"If you ask what I want for my Canada, it is this – that we surprise ourselves. Astonish ourselves. That we astonish the world," Mr. Ignatieff said to a packed convention hall of over 3,000 delegates and observers.

Mr. Ignatieff called for a new politics replacing spite and spin with civility and common purpose, laying out an inclusive vision of economic recovery that leaves no Canadian out in the cold by unlocking the creativity of every citizen.

He spoke directly to Stephen Harper, condemning him for failing to unite Canadians by setting province against province, group against group, region against region, individual against individual.

"All our efforts will be focused on one task – to unite our people again, to feel the strength that comes when Canadians know they are acting together," said Mr. Ignatieff. "We will turn crisis into opportunity and become more competitive than ever, by becoming the most adventurous and entrepreneurial people on the planet."

Mr. Ignatieff called for measures to unite Canadians and treat everyone fairly, delivered by a government that is as competent, courageous, co-operative and creative as Canadians themselves:

• A common national standard of eligibility for Employment Insurance.
• Investing in scientists, researchers and the green economy to create the jobs of tomorrow.
• An equal start for every child with world class early learning.
• A renewed commitment to women for equal pay for work of equal value.
• A promise to every student that if they get the grades, they get to go to the best higher education in the world.
• World class, not a second class education for every Aboriginal child.
• Hope and opportunity for farming communities, small towns, northern and remote regions.

"The Canadian way is a way for the whole world," said Mr. Ignatieff, speaking of Canada’s longing to lead rather than follow on the world stage. "This is the moral purpose of our country – to teach tolerance, diversity and citizenship to a troubled world."

Following nominations by MPs Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc, Young Liberals Mona Kassis and Yasmine Abdelfadel added their names to those of over 3,000 people who nominated Michael Ignatieff online before he was declared leader by convention chair, MP Justin Trudeau, Bobbi Ethier and MP Ujjal Dosanjh.

"Let us dare to dream but let us also dare to act," Mr. Ignatieff concluded. "Let us get back to the Canadian way. We deserve a government that does not make us feel any less than a great people with a great future - and to a great people, given great leadership, nothing is impossible."

Cheers...Mike Ferguson, President, LKM Federal Liberal Association. 519-627-3606