The Liberal Party of Canada is moving forward with its new leader

The culmination of nine months of excitement and renewal became electric with the election of the Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent-Cartierville, Stéphane Dion, as the 11th leader of the Liberal Party of Canada on the fourth ballot. All eyes in Canada were riveted on our party.

Stéphane Dion delivered a passionate address before a packed convention floor, thanking delegates for their support and issuing a rallying cry for the party to continue working together to strengthen the Liberal Party and help him send the minority Harper government back to opposition. The foundation of Mr. Dion’s leadership will be based on his three pillar approach of integrating economic prosperity, social justice and environmental sustainability.

Stéphane Dion was joined on stage by his seven fellow leadership candidates as well as interim leader Bill Graham and former Prime ministers Paul Martin, Jean Chrétien and John Turner. All the former leaders, on different occasions, had the opportunity during the Convention to address the delegates and to reflect on the Party’s proud history and appeal for unity as Liberals begin the next chapter in the Party’s history. I think we were all moved to see all five of the leaders of our Party linked arm-in-arm on stage at the conclusion of our convention.

During the Convention, delegates adopted a wide range of policy resolutions designed to give Canadians a real alternative to the minority Conservative government’s fend-for-yourself vision of Canada. Party members from across the country tabled and debated motions on a wide spectrum of policy areas. Policy resolutions were then prioritized to be voted by party members as a whole. Many were designed to reverse the Conservative government’s undermining of the previous Liberal government initiatives including early learning and child care agreements, the Kelowna Accord and a plan to fulfill our Kyoto commitments. Others attempted to stop the Conservative government from dismantling initiatives such as the gun registry, and restore the funding cut to Status of Women Canada.

I want to express how pleased I was that the delegates overwhelmingly endorsed our new "Red Ribbon" Constitution. This represents the most significant restructuring of our Party in at least four decades and includes, for the first time: national membership; a merged policy and platform process; a dramatically streamlined Party structure and a new council of presidents. This new Party structure will make us much more competitive and can put riding associations back at the centre of the world of Party politics: as the places where policy development and political organization are focused.

As this is my last column for this year, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere best wishes for the holiday season. This time of the year allows you to be with your loved ones and celebrate. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the confidence you have shown and I would like to ensure you of my entire and continued availability and devotion throughout the next year.



- Lucienne Robillard is the Liberal MP for Westmount-Ville Marie.