The three-pillar approach

Posted by cwaddell under Election 2008, Election 2008 Student articles

Kate Scroggins

Liberal leader Stéphane Dion gave supporters a glimpse of his party’s platform at his campaign launch in Ottawa yesterday, saying he wants to make Canada “richer, fairer and greener.”

Dion, who said the full plan would be released over the coming days and weeks, hinted that his campaign would focus on the economy, social justice and the environment. The slogan comes as no surprise. It is the same three-pillar policy approach that Dion has pushed since his nomination as Liberal leader in 2006.

Dion defended what could become one of the key issues of the campaign – his controversial green shift plan.

“You cut the taxes on activities that are creating wealth … and you shift it to our pollution because we want to fight climate change for our children and grandchildren,” he said. “Why is it so difficult to understand?”

He promised that the Liberals would provide an online tool for Canadians to determine their eco-footprint and create a governmental “gold standard” that would be awarded to environmentally-friendly products and services.

About 200 supporters gathered at the Billings Estate Museum in Ottawa’s south end to cheer on the Liberal leader and other candidates from the Ottawa-Gatineau area.

Earlier, Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean to dissolve what he called a “dysfunctional” parliament. Canadians will go to the polls on Oct. 14.

Recent polls have shown support for Dion’s leadership is dwindling, with most Canadians surveyed saying that Harper and NDP leader Jack Layton would make better prime ministers than Dion.

But at the rally, the Liberal leader fought back, saying that he welcomed the campaign as a chance for voters to get to know him better.

“I will have the possibility to reach the Canadian people, our fellow citizens in their house, in their TV, directly, not through the attack ads of Stephen Harper,” he said. “They will see who I am and what I stand for.”

Local candidates echoed this sentiment.

David Pratt, the former defence minister who is taking on John Baird in Ottawa-West Nepean, said he has always admired Dion. Pratt said that the leader’s strong record as a minister would win over voters. 

“I think he’s demonstrated over the course of the last number of years that he has a deep and abiding love of this country. And I think that’s going to come through in this campaign as Canadians give another look to Stéphane Dion,” he said.

It was slow going for some supporters as they made their way to the national campaign launch.

About 30 members of the Ontario Landowners Association drove a tractor and wagon at a snail’s pace along Riverside Dr., backing up traffic. The protestors were not allowed into the rally, but they shouted their demands alongside eager young liberals jockeying to get a glimpse of Dion as his tour bus arrived.

The association wants property rights enshrined in the constitution.

Jack MacLaren, president of the association, said promoting property rights is the most important issue among rural voters.

“If the Liberal party or any other party wants the support of rural people, they need to recognize property rights,” he said.

Kate Scroggins is a student in the Master of Journalism program at the School of Journalism and Communication at Carleton University