Stephane Dion visits the U of M
‘Three Pillars’ approach key to economic and environmental sustainability, he says
VERONICA CARR STAFF
A man’s passion can often lead back to his dog — or at least that’s the case with Stéphane Dion, a Liberal leadership candidate. Dion’s huskie is named Kyoto, which is fitting for a man who is a strong advocate for the protection of Canada’s environment.
As Dion contends for the top job in the Liberal Party, he is travelling across the nation spreading his election ideas, much like other leadership candidates. Dion was a former environment minister in Paul Martin’s government, and former intergovernmental affairs minister under Jean Chrétien.
“I know that with my new ideas and the old backbone of the Liberal vision, I can help make a positive change for Canada — all I need is the chance,” he said Nov. 15 at the University of Manitoba, where he announced his “Three Pillars Approach: A Vision for Canada” and his nature protection plan.
The three-pillar plan Dion wants to implement focuses on increasing economic prosperity through resource productivity and energy conservation, furthering social justice through “equality of opportunity for all to make the most out of their lives” and promoting environmental sustainability through the “balance of human input and output of resources.”
If elected, Dion said he will implement a four-point plan for protecting the environment, including implementing federal legislation, enforcing rules already in existence and strengthening science research nationally.
Dion also wants to expand the system of National Wildlife Areas and marine protected areas along with completing the National Parks system and supporting private land conservation.
“When it comes to nature conservation, the status quo is simply not good enough — we simply need to do a better job,” said Dion. “Canada must take charge and become a world leader.”
The turnout rate for students from the host faculty, environment, earth and resources, was low, but those who attended seemed to be receptive to the ideas presented.
“It’s a little disappointing to not see too many familiar faces around the room, but it’s hard to get people involved when the event wasn’t very well publicized,” observed Jackie Kotyk, co-president on the Society of Earth Sciences and Environmental Students executive. “Hopefully Dion’s message will reach them some other way because he makes a lot of great motions.”
Before entering politics in 1996, Dion was a professor at the University of Montreal, where since 1984 he taught public administration and political science. He is the author of various books and academic articles and has lectured at numerous universities across the country.
After the Liberal party’s defeat in the 2006 federal election, prime minister Paul Martin announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Bill Graham has been interim parliamentary leader since February of this year, but a new party leader will be chosen Dec. 2 at the national Liberal Party convention in Montreal.
There are currently eight candidates for the leadership: Scott Brison, MP for Kings-Hants, who was Minister of Public Works and Government Services under Martin; Ken Dryden, former Social Development Minister under Martin; Martha Hall Findlay, a Toronto lawyer; Michael Ignatieff, public intellectual who has worked as a teacher, journalist and politician; Gerard Kennedy, former Minister of Education in the Ontario provincial government of Dalton McGuinty; Bob Rae former NDP premier of Ontario and who was first elected to the House of Commons in 1979 for the NDP; Joe Volpe, former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration under Martin; and of course, Dion.
