Stéphane Dion Wins Liberal Leadership

Montreal - Former federal Environment Minister Stéphane Dion was elected on Saturday, December 2nd, as the 11th leader of the Liberal Party of Canada on the fourth ballot of the Liberal leadership convention.

“It is with deep respect for the Liberal legacy and with a clear eye to the future of this party and of this country, that I humbly accept the leadership of our great party,” Mr. Dion told the cheering crowd. “And I am confident I have the experience, the policies, the plan. But most importantly with the support of a united Liberal family, that we will offer Canadians the choice and the vision they are looking for: a prosperous economy, a society that is socially just, and a sustainable environment for our children to inherit.”

Mr. Dion captured the leadership with 54.7 percent of the vote, edging Michael Ignatieff, who garnered 45.3 percent of the vote. Mr. Dion and Mr. Ignatieff faced off on the fourth and final ballot after Bob Rae was eliminated on the third ballot.

Mr. 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 Harper government back to opposition.

“I am immensely grateful to my entire campaign team and each of the leadership candidates who ran excellent campaigns and for the passion and vision they demonstrated throughout this country,” he said.

The foundation of Mr. Dion’s leadership will be based on his three pillar approach of integrating economic prosperity, social justice and environmental sustainability.

“I am convinced that to beat Harper in the next election, it will not be enough to capitalize on his mistakes,” he said in his address last night. “It will not be enough to be a government in waiting. To win, we must offer our own project to Canadians, a generous and ambitious vision that is in stark contrast to Mr. Harper’s selfish and narrow idea of Canada.”

Mr. 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. Mr. Chrétien and Mr. Turner both addressed the convention floor to reflect on the Party’s proud history and appeal for unity as Liberals begin the next chapter in the Party’s history.

Under the leadership of Stéphane Dion the Liberal Party’s strong, re-energized base is ready to take on Stephen Harper and create a more prosperous, just, and green Canada.

Source: liberal.ca - Saturday, December 2^nd 2006

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