Stephane Dion announced today he will resign as leader of the federal Liberals to strengthen his party in advance of a crucial confidence vote next month.
Last month, Dion signalled his intent to lead the party until his successor was chosen at a leadership convention in May.
But in his resignation statement, the outgoing opposition leader suggested he is acceding to pressures within the Liberal party to step aside before Parliament starts again on Jan. 26.
If the federal budget proposed by Stephen Harper’s Conservatives is defeated, a Liberal-NDP coalition could replace the government.
“As the Governor General has granted a prorogation, it is a logical time for us Liberals to assess how we can best prepare our party to carry this fight forward,” reads Dion’s statement. “There is a sense in the party, and certainly in the caucus, that given these new circumstances the new leader needs to be in place before the House resumes.”
In the statement, Dion said he will officially step down once a successor is chosen.
According to recent reports, the race to replace the outgoing leader will come down to a tight contest between Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff, following the withdrawal of New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc.
A Liberal caucus vote to elect an interim leader – which would most likely favour Ignatieff – is anticipated for Wednesday.
Geoff Dembicki is a staff reporter for the Hook.
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alive
3 years ago
No coronation
Dominic demonstrates his lack of leadership abilities during his newsconference, by not cutting off repeat questions! Basically he was railroaded by reporters repeatedly asking the same question, an experienced leader would have made it clear what his stand was and cut off desperate attempts at undermining his message.
In any event Rae has a better grasp on how long it will take for the machinery to get rolling!
The suggestion that Rae should step back as well would leave a void, as it takes at least two to make a leadership race and make it appear democratic.
Raphael Alexander
3 years ago
The plan in action
The Liberals are now one pylon away from appointing their leader. How very democratic. 6 candidates were vying for House Speaker, and now only 2 want to lead the Liberal party.
What does that tell you about the chances of a coalition government?
frank2
3 years ago
Ignatieff would make
Ignatieff would make excellent replacement for Harper -- as leader of the CONSERVATIVES. He favours US wars, he favoured torture (before it became a cause celebre), but he is much more skillful at backing down with eloquence without really taking responsibility.
If Ignatieff becomes Liberal leader (as seems likely), Canadians can be guaranteed that the cats will continue to rule. And all we NDP mice will be free to vote our consciences.
frank2
3 years ago
Ignatieff would make
Ignatieff would make excellent replacement for Harper -- as leader of the CONSERVATIVES. He favours US wars, he favoured torture (before it became a cause celebre), but he is much more skillful at backing down with eloquence without really taking responsibility.
If Ignatieff becomes Liberal leader (as seems likely), Canadians can be guaranteed that the cats will continue to rule. And all we NDP mice will be free to vote our consciences.
RickW
3 years ago
Ignatieff
Is not to be trusted. I think he's in bed with the forces that Fiat Lux keeps warning us about.
But I don't like Rae either.
Personally, I think Martha Hall Findlay would be the best choice. Women are generally more inclined to consensus, instead of "my way or the highway":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Hall_Findlay
And we need consensus right now, not dictatorship.
realisticman
3 years ago
Solidarity
Jack affirms his continuing love;
New Democrat leader Jack Layton issued the following statement on the resignation Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion today:
"I look forward to working closely in the coalition with the next leader of the Liberal Party. Mr. Harper may have locked the doors of Parliament, but that will not prevent the Liberal-New Democrat coalition from speaking."
S.YEE
3 years ago
You know nothing about the media!
To alive:
Quote;
"Dominic demonstrates his lack of leadership abilities during his newsconference, by not cutting off repeat questions!"
You really think you can control the media? You think you can just stop the media from asking the same question over and over again?
If Obama was involed in a sex scandal, do you think at his press conference the media would stop asking the same question over and over again?
And so what that the media kepted asking the same question? What the hell does that have to do with leadership?
I bet you would judge Dominic by the way he wipes his ass!
Dominic was a centrist candidate, but left the race because Dion formed a coalition with the NDP & BQ, and the Liberal party needed a new leader ASAP, not months from now!
The only grasp Rae has, is how to destroy the economy! He's B.C.'s Glen Clark!
If Glen Clark was the leader of the Liberal party, would B.C. vote for him? NO!
Ontario will not vote for Bob Rae for Prime Minister, never, ever!
Quote;
"The suggestion that Rae should step back as well would leave a void, as it takes at least two to make a leadership race and make it appear democratic."
True, but Mr. Dion entered the party into a coalition, and then made that crappy video!
Dion forced these events to happen. Sure, Harper acted like he had a majority, but he did drop the issue of public money for political party's.
This did not have to happen, but did.
As for Iggy, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, that was just about oil/finishing what my daddy did!
But as for tourture, if a child molester was arrested, but will not tell where he is hiding the 8y/o little girl, who will die if she is not found soon, isn't tourture then necessary?
Or should we stand by the fact that tourture is wrong, and that it shouldn't be done, even though that child will die?
Iggy has his pros & cons. Everyone who runs for public office has pros & cons. There's no such thing as a perfect candidate!
Iggy (besides tourture) has been defending human right's world wide for year's.
Bob Rae is NDP, and only joined the Liberal's after Paul Martin gave him a public profile again!
Frank
3 years ago
Bob Rae
Keeps winning his seat in, of all places, Ontario.
S.YEE
3 years ago
Umm....
Bob Rae took over Bill Graham's VERY safe Toronto seat.
Two, he was just re-elected, so that make's it two times now.
Three, I never said he wouldn't get 1 vote, I am talking about Ontario as a whole.
Toronto is a very safe Liberal riding. Outside the 604, that's another matter.
Glen Clark could win a seat in B.C. Are you going to recommend him as Prime Minister then?
Didn't think so!
crh
3 years ago
the core issue
The difference between the two contenders makes no difference when the issue is whether to hold a democratic vote to choose one or the other.
The fact that the leader will be chosen by consulting with over 800 people, and not letting the other 67,000 vote will guarantee a continued fractured party, as a lot of people support Mr. Rae.
Yup, them Libs are definitely more centre right, as this decision would never have been made by a left leaners.
realisticman
3 years ago
Frank - Bob Bows Out!
and another one bites the dust...
"Bob Rae
Keeps winning his seat in, of all places, Ontario."
Let's make sure he stays in Ontario!
Iggy's home free now.
Frank
3 years ago
S.Yee
"Glen Clark could win a seat in B.C. Are you going to recommend him as Prime Minister then?"
Sure, why not? Unlike Rae he's not a career politician. As for the demonization of him, so what, everyone on the Left is demonized.
By the way, I think your view of the media asking tough questions and not being cut off when asking the same question over and over sounds great. Which country does this happen in?
Luke Skywalker
3 years ago
Ignatieff...
Since Frank here seems to be a fan of Angus Reid Strategies ;), I thought that I would post some interesting results with the contemplated Liberal leadership changeover from Dion to Ignatieff: (while the numbers might not be right, the trends sure are)
If election was held today with Dion at the Liberal helm and Ignatieff as his replacement:
Canada
C - 42% - 38% (-4%)
L - 22% - 33% (+11%)
N - 18% - 13% (-5%)
That would be a HUGE shift to the Liberals under Ignatieff with an 11 point gain.
BC
C - 51% - 47% (-4%)
L - 17% - 32% (+15%)
N - 25% - 16% (-9%)
Again in BC, under Ignatieff, that would be a HUGE shift to the Liberals (almost doubling their vote), esp. at the expense of the NDP.
Who woulda thunk???
Frank
3 years ago
Luke
Not hard to understand why given recent events.
I assume you believe the poll? Because to me it makes a lot of sense.
S.YEE
3 years ago
Frankie goes to hollywood:
Rae is not a career politician, only for the fact that he left politics in disgrace, and came back from the dead a few year's ago.
Glen Clark is a political animal, and would of stayed in office longer, but he too left in disgrace.
So to say Clark is not a career politician, while Rae is, is wrong.
As for the media, Stephen Harper, I guess I'll call him Prime Minister "Herpes" now, could be at a press conference and cut off the media, true.
But it won't stop the media, from asking the same question again, if it's a big news story.
alive was saying Dominic LeBlanc wasn't a leader because he didn't cut off the media.
All I was saying, is if it's a big news story, the media will continue to ask the same question, and that cutting off the media has nothing to do with leadership.