www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=d081da1d-456f-4a42-9dee-58bb63c2ebb7&k=14999Dion questions PM on Status of Women funding
Meagan Fitzpatrick, CanWest News Service
Published: Monday, December 04, 2006
OTTAWA -- Liberal Leader Stephane Dion chose women’s equality as the first subject to attack Prime Minister Stephen Harper on when he stood today in the House of Commons during question period as the new leader of the Opposition.
Dion went after the Conservatives on the government's recent cuts to the Status of Women.
"When the government is posting multi-billion dollar budget surpluses, thanks to the previous Liberal government, why on Earth is the prime minister closing 12 of the 16 Status of Women offices across Canada if it is not to cripple those who dare challenge his government’s neo-Conservative ideology?" Dion asked.
Harper responded by congratulating Dion on his victory saying it was "well-earned" and he hopes Dion will enjoy his time at Stornoway — the official residence of the Opposition Leader.
"I’ve been a resident of Stornoway myself, I hope he enjoys Stornoway and I hope he’s happy there for a very long time," Harper quipped before answering the question.
The prime minister also lauded Bill Graham for his performance as interim Liberal leader. "He conducted himself with great determination, dignity and intelligence," Harper said.
Dion’s follow-up questions to Harper focused on the government’s cancellation of the court challenges program and on the re-opening of the same-sex marriage debate.
The Liberals who lost to Dion — Michael Ignatieff, Ken Dryden, Scott Brison and Joe Volpe — also asked questions during the session.
It was a busy day for Dion, who led his first caucus meeting this morning after winning his party’s leadership on Saturday in Montreal.
At the start of that meeting, Dion said Canadians will have two clear visions of Canada to choose between in the next federal election — outlining how the Liberals are different from the Conservatives.
He added the Liberals need to defeat Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s right-wing agenda for the sake of Canadians.
At the caucus meeting, Dion was surrounded by the leadership candidates he beat on Saturday including Martha Hall Findlay, Gerard Kennedy and Bob Rae, who do not hold seats in the House of Commons but were invited to attend.
Glen Pearson, who won the London-North-Centre byelection on Nov. 27, introduced Dion who then made a short speech, mostly in English, his second language.
"The leadership race is over, the enthusiasm of the Montreal convention is forever," Dion told the caucus.
However, speaking with reporters afterwards Dion said he doesn’t want to rush into an election.
"I don’t want to rush to an election, I want to be ready for an election," he said.
Reporters also asked Dion about Gerard Kennedy — the man viewed as the convention’s kingmaker. Kennedy withdrew from the ballot after the second round of voting, and threw his support behind Dion. The former Ontario education minister delivered more than 800 delegates to Dion.
"I want him to work for me as much as possible and for the party because Gerard has so much to offer," Dion said.
The new opposition leader said he will make announcements over the coming days about the team he is putting together.
Rae, who was a front-runner in the leadership race until Dion overtook him on the third ballot, said he is willing and ready to play a prominent role in the party.
"I’m also happy to do whatever I can to help defeat this truly lousy government," Rae told reporters this morning. When asked if that includes running for a seat in the Commons Rae said: "If Mr. Dion would like me to, absolutely."
Dion also talked about Canada’s role in Afghanistan.
"I want to help to develop an approach that may work in Afghanistan. What we are doing now, is not working," he said. "We will try to propose to the government an approach that makes sense and hopefully we will play a role that will be positive in Afghanistan."
Canada’s military presence in Afghanistan is expected to be an election issue, one of many the Liberals will have to take a clear stand on in order to set themselves apart from the Conservatives.
© CanWest News Service 2006