Dion to step down, reports say

[Shakeyhands]

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1046032

Sounds like another Dion "it's all the media's fault" moment.

Really? You are really going to say that? Seriously?

[capricorn]

Shakey, you have my interpretation of his words. What's yours?

[reasonoverpassion]

An eulogy for Stephan.

Really a guy with no political instincts. Made the fatal mistake of campaign on making a tax change. Everyone know that the only thing to say about taxes during an election campaign are that they should be reduced or abolished. Did Biran Mulroney campaign on the GST?

We need to remember his achievements. The Clarity Act was a major one. This dealt a major blow to the PQ/BQ because it finally "pushed back on this issue" Never again will questions like this be accepted for referendums:

"Do you agree that Québec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Québec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?"

or this

"The Government of Quebec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; any change in political status resulting from these negotiations will only be implemented with popular approval through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada?"

The three points presented to the Supreme Court now excepted as conventional arguments against separation:

(1)Under the Constitution of Canada, can the National Assembly, legislature, or government of Quebec affect the secession of Quebec from Canada unilaterally?

Essentially the court said no. The Federal government is only obligated to enter into negotiation if the question is clear.

(2)Does international law give the National Assembly, legislature, or government of Quebec the right to effect the secession of Quebec from Canada unilaterally? In this regard, is there a right to self-determination under international law that would give the National Assembly, legislature or government of Quebec the right to effect the secession of Quebec from Canada unilaterally?

Again no. The Canadian Constitution remains in effect until the term of succession are agreed upon.

(3)In the event of a conflict between domestic and international law on the right of the National Assembly, legislature, or government of Quebec to effect the secession of Quebec from Canada unilaterally, which would take precedence in Canada?

Again the Canadian Constitution remains in effect until the term of succession are agreed upon.

Other arguments made by Dion have never satisfactorily been answered by the soveriegnity movement:

(1) On a vote with such far ranging conseqences for the people of Quebec, how can it be realistically argued that 50 plus one is sufficient to carry a referendum?

(2) If Canada is divisible why isn't Quebec?

Thank you M. Dion for your work. Your country does owe you a debt of gratitude for this.

[Alta4ever]

An eulogy for Stephan.

Really a guy with no political instincts. Made the fatal mistake of campaign on making a tax change. Everyone know that the only thing to say about taxes during an election campaign are that they should be reduced or abolished. Did Biran Mulroney campaign on the GST?

We need to remember his achievements. The Clarity Act was a major one. This dealt a major blow to the PQ/BQ because it finally "pushed back on this issue" Never again will questions like this be accepted for referendums:

"Do you agree that Québec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Québec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?"

or this

"The Government of Quebec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; any change in political status resulting from these negotiations will only be implemented with popular approval through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada?"

The three points presented to the Supreme Court now excepted as conventional arguments against separation:

Wasn't Dion's crowing acheivement written by a reformer. I seem to recall it was.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Alta4ever

[jdobbin]

Thats funny haha. I have seen policy that was created by the grassroots implimented by the party, infact the blue book is written by the grassroots, unlike the liberals red book which was written by the elite of the party.

The policy at the convention in Winnipeg was vetted by the PMO. Harper oversaw it all.

[Alta4ever]

The policy at the convention in Winnipeg was vetted by the PMO. Harper oversaw it all.

Really funny he had no one at the table I was at. In fact we had the opportunity to vote for policy that would go to winnipeg. What was there was not vetted by harper it was vetted by the grassroots.

[jdobbin]

Really funny he had no one at the table I was at. In fact we had the opportunity to vote for policy that would go to winnipeg. What was there was not vetted by harper it was vetted by the grassroots.

Sorry, everything you looked at has already been approved for debate. There was to be no surprises at the convention.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianp...cm68kzTSiZYhKIA

The policy resolutions up for discussion had already been vetted by a national panel of party representatives.

[Alta4ever]

Sorry, everything you looked at has already been approved for debate. There was to be no surprises at the convention.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianp...cm68kzTSiZYhKIA

Sorry the media has this one wrong.

[jdobbin]

Sorry the media has this one wrong.

The media were the ones told by the party. Yeesh.

[ToadBrother]

One of the former lib advisor said they can have everything wrapped up by Dec.20th, that electing a new leader, if everyone agrees with Iggy for the new leader of the party and that is with the presidents of the memberships, mps, senators and the executive voting. I heard Rae say he will go along with the majority if that is what they want. I don't think Rae wants that way but he's out voted and its more important to prepared either for another election or to get on with the government business.

I imagine Rae will be expecting some great reward for putting the lid on his ambitions. I'm still not sure why he thinks he could have been such a great success. I don't think folks in Ontario have forgotten him. Ignatief is something of a blank slate, so the Liberals can transpose on to him anything they want. Rae comes with serious baggage, but anyone can be bought off for the right cabinet post. After all, that's how Peter Mackay went along with Harper becoming the first leader of the reunited Conservatives.