Driving Mr. Dion

My time with Stephane Dion was an unusual one. Whenever I’ve met the leader in the past I’ve always retained a polite demeanor, listening intently to his words, quietly nodded in approval and always graciously thanking him for speaking with me. This past weekend was not the same. I had the opportunity to drive the leader on his tour through Ontario. Our trip took us from Pearson International to Mississauga, through Hamilton, Brantford, Welland and the Niagara region before returning back to my home turf at Ryerson.

At each event I’d drop Dion and his staffers off at the front door then go to park the car. Typically I’d arrive at the event before Dion and his crew would as they were quickly escorted to a holding room. So I’d saunter up to one of the people working the door and explain, “No I don’t have a ticket…I’m driving Dion” trying not to look like a pompous ass and demand special treatment. “Yes I know I’m wearing jeans and sneakers and everyone else is in a suite and tie,” I would think. Luckily for me, business attire is not a bona fide occupational requirement, especially when one is a volunteer.

Dion would then enter the room to synchronized clapping and shake hands and give a speech. On our first stop he had just released his platform “Balancing the Carbon Budget,” so he spoke at length about the need to stay competitive while protecting our environment. Over the weekend I heard the speech numerous times and I enjoyed the variations in it. No more Paul Martin’s “30 years ago when my father and Lester B. Pearson developed medicare they blah blah blah,” like I heard one million times during the last election.

As we built a rapportover those many kilometers, my friendly small talk and quiet agreement noises turned to substantive policy questions. I asked why he would be so vocal about the Anti-Scab bill when typically the leader doesn’t get involved in Private Members Bill. He explained how Private Members Bill needs not only deal with small matters and how it could have a great impact. Our comfort levels developed further, and soon I was naturally swatting his newspapers and briefing notes out of the way of my navigation system. I’d also joke about how cold it was driving him, because I wasn’t allowed to warm up the car before picking him up. I even muttered a swear word under my breath in his presence as I nearly rear-ended a Mercedes in the worst snow storm ever. The last thing I want to do I roll the car when he’s on the phone with David Suzuki or Al Gore.

But perhaps the best moment was as we approached Ryerson I explained the concept of the event, who would be there, what we were looking from him. I made him promise he wouldn’t say that youth “are the future” since we hate that shit; besides “We got now, we don’t care who got next.” He stared blankly at my Jay-Z reference.

He was greeted with drunken enthusiasm as we marched into the bar. Green beer sloshed as the applause began. Dion moved through the crowd and quickly slipped away from me.,I didn’t feel like staffing him, and had my eyes on the green beer myself. Other VIP’s moved through the St Patrick’s Day mosh pit waddling like penguins in the tightly packed bar. I settled in for some green beer, my shift was over and it was time to get loose. Dion spoke, he didn’t say we were the future, I was pleased, he did however say “We’re not a party that just cares about the next election; we’re a party that cares about the next generation” That was a Jay-Z-esque enough for me.

Jay Telegdi- Toronto, Ont.

untitled.

Almost every newspaper in the country has been bashing, doubting or laughing at Dion during the past few weeks. Party moral seems low and “it’s bad and it’ll probably get worse” is plastered on many faces. But when my Dad, or my English teacher, or my friend asks me if I’m worried, I say a surprised “of course not!” accompanied by a rather large smile and sometimes a little chuckle. I’m not worried about Dion’s ability to win the next election, or the Conservative Attack Ads, or the latest over-analyzed poll. Too many Canadians are finding themselves in a tangled mess of speculation and exaggerated coverage. Dion’s greatest asset, which is starting to become a bit cliché, is the fact that he is underestimated. He won the Leadership despite the confused and unconvinced looks I got when I joined the campaign. Upon my return from Montreal, I said “I told you so” to quite a few sheepish looking people, who will be sure to regain their unattractive expressions the moment we win the next federal election. Dion does have his flaws, but compared to Harper’s love affairs with the National Citizens Coalition and Climate Change denial, Dion looks like a saint. All that we Young Liberals have to do is be our enthusiastic, in-your-face, tireless selves and get people to look behind the diversions that the media and the Tories have created. Spreading the word is our key to success. So the next time your brother, or your co-worker or the little kid next door asks you if you’re worried, smile, laugh, and say “of course not!”, while making a mental note to keep the “I told you so” to a minimum when Dion brings in his first sweeping majority.

~Annie Donolo

Budget Reaction

The real problem with the Harper Spendathon Budget 2007? Its dithers all over.



We were hounded for being a party, in our later years, with no direction, just paying off everyone we could. Henceforth, its such a funny turn to see Harper do this to 10x the degree.



This budget does nothing particularly well. When I look at the combination of major features, I see no cohesion, no common thread that would hint at a purpose for governing.



Decisiveness is fine, but its vision that makes a leader.



Visionless Stephen Harper is NOT a leader!


Richard Liebrecht, Manitoba

great dion event!

So dion is making his way around the country and it is beyond awesome!

Dion came to McMaster University in Hamilton today (March 14th) to speak to the local construction workers who have been working tirelessly for years to get new buildings put up on campus. McMaster is rapidly expanding and Mr. Dion wanted to speak with these workers to hear about their progress.

Students from McMaster were given the opportunity to meet with Dion and share a few words. Judging by their reaction he is really making an impact on youth around the country. Stephane met with the incoming McMaster Students Union president, Ryan Moran, who seemed very impressed with Mr. Dion. The youth were also given a chance to rub shoulders with the President of Mcmaster, Peter George. Stephane Dion is really showing that he is accessible to all Canadians and giving students opportunities to connect with senior figures such as Peter George.

The youth were also given the opportunity to sport some sexy hard hats for the event. Who doesn't love hard hat hair?

elyse banham

Liberals are Well Served

For some reason or another, legions seem to be perennial places for political events of all types and stripes. About a month ago, I wound my way through a maze of pool tables and war memorabilia to a large hall at the Dundas Legion near McMaster, anticipating to hear from our new leader.

For me it would be my first encounter with him since the dazzling convention in late 2006. Waiting to cast my decisive vote on the third ballot, I saw the figures of Dion and Kennedy cut to the left of me. My eyes met with Kennedy and he mouthed thank you. The moment was a difficult, but what to do next was clear. My move to Dion never needed a second thought; his genuine nature and witty performance at the Toronto leadership debate had automatically made him the only option in a “what if” situation.

Back at the legion, he had arrived and simply watching him interacting with the crowd and talking to many he came across has humble, optimistic and sincere. Once he made it to the stage, he spoke passionately about the environment and how it is becoming more and more intertwined with our economic future. For someone with intellectual might, he wasn’t abstract or impersonal; it didn’t feel like he was preaching to us, but engaging in conversation with each one of us. I feel confident about the future and emboldened by our leader. Liberals are well served.

Mark Ungar

McMaster University

It's working

During the leadership race I’d occasionally return to my hometown in rural Ontario and escape the drama of the race at the farm that I grew up on. While there I’d drop by my grandmother’s house and fill her in on the latest events. It was nice to have someone to listen to me as I vented my frustrations about being sleep deprived or my lack of dietary prudence. She didn’t really follow the race too closely and relied largely on my super biased assessment of the whole thing.

One visit she told me that she was happy that Dion was making the environment such a priority. She remembers the last time the environment received such attention was in the United States back in the 80’s or something concerning acid rain, and she’s happy the focus was back on it. So this meant something to me, if my 91 year old, card carrying Republican, American grandmother was hearing the message about the need for environmental sustainability then we must be doing something right.

As Liberals we should be proud that we have made such a concerted effort to bring the environment to the forefront of public opinion, and we’re fortunate to have a leader with such a credible record on the environment. So I’m looking forward to an election and to spreading the word that it is the Liberals who have a serious commitment to the environment, and win the next election one grandmother at a time!

Jay- Ontario

we are ready.

“Delia, why do you like Stephane Dion?” Oh boy I thought; leadership was over a month ago, why is he asking me this question?

“Well, I like him because…,” and I continue on with my speech, something I had perfected since joining the Dion campaign last summer. I decided to stop mid-sentence and ask the former Rae supporter why he wanted to know? I mean really, we don't need to try to recruit each other anymore....we're working together!

“I saw him the other day and spent some time with him, and well, I understand what it was you saw in him. I see it too,” he said.

Big sigh of relief. Hearing that really meant a lot to me. My friends from the other campaigns are genuinely supporting our new leader, something more people (Liberals and non-Liberals alike) are doing every day. After the end of Leadership in December, I was unsure how Dion would be embraced amongst the Liberal youth on a national scale. I am very happy with the way everyone has rallied behind Dion with the same goal in mind. I am proud to say that the party is uniting and that we are preparing to win the next election.

The National Youth Campaign is an example for the rest of the party to follow. We are working together, mobilized, and ready to kick some major butt. The Liberal party is ready to once again be at the helm. Bring it on.

Delia Greco
Ontario

Liberals United!!!

Attending the 2006 Liberal Leadership Convention was the experience of a lifetime, especially for a Liberal rookie like me. Not even had I stepped foot on the convention floor when I already got sucked into the whirlwind of welcome rallies, photo opps and strategy sessions that came to comprise my life for the next few days. Sporting RAEvolution t-shirts and chanting at the top of our lungs, we escorted Bob into Le Palais de Congres, anxious at what awaited during the course of the weekend. It was then that I realized how fortunate I was to be a part of something so grand and important for the future of our Nation.

As a Bevilacqua-turned-Rae delegate and youth team captain I took on a liaison role both within my camp and externally with other teams. When I wasn’t chasing my team around the convention floor I was chatting up other youth delegates in order to gage the direction they would take if their candidate dropped out. Surely enough after the third ballot I found myself in this position. As emotions flared and everyone pondered what to do next, I tried to keep in mind what Bob had reminded us of repeatedly through out the campaign – that no matter what the convention outcome we will leave Montreal united as a party under great leadership, ready to topple down Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. As such, after some consideration I knew Stephane Dion was the best candidate and deserved my vote going into the final ballot.

As tiresome and chaotic as the convention was, it was only half the job we originally set out to achieve. I am incredibly excited to be part of the BC campaign team once again, helping to gear up and prepare for our federal election. An election that could be upon us in a matter of only a few weeks! We have enormous momentum right now and are united under a great leader who is sure to take us to victory in the next election!

- Hila Wesa

Proud to be a Dion Liberal

Having the opportunity to attend the 2006 Liberal Leadership convention was a thrill of a lifetime for me. Aboard the 530am train to Montreal from Hamilton I was already sporting my Generation Kennedy youth gear. I could barely contain my excitement to represent the man I believed would be the leader of the Liberal party in just a few short days. Both my mother and brother had been Gerard Kennedy delegates at the 1996 Ontario Leadership convention. 10 years later, it was my turn.
At the convention I took on the role of National Youth Volunteer coordinator. This roll allowed me the opportunity to meet youth from all over Canada. My brother was one of the Ontario whips and together we were attempting to figure out where we would go if Gerard did not end up the top guy. As the second ballot results came out and reports of Gerard heading to Dion began to spread, my brother and I stood together discussing our next move. After hearing that Kennedy had made his way over to Stephane Dion we both knew what we needed to do. With tears in my eyes I called Denise Brunsdon, my contact with the Dion camp and said we were coming over. All the youth who had began to surround both my brother and I followed us to get on our green gear. As I looked around, I knew that a pivotal moment in my life, and the life of the Liberal Party had just passed.
It was a proud moment for me when I looked at the convention centre from the stage and saw a sea of green spreading across the floor. The party was coming together, rallying around a man who would carry the principles and style of leadership that I had seen in Gerard. Once I saw Denise Brunsdon I knew I had made the right choice. I joined the Dion campaign in full force and began making phone calls in order to pull out the vote. This was an inclusive team and I was happy to be on board.
I am now so excited to be gearing up for an election. Stephane Dion has even inspired a member of my family to run for the nomination on Hamilton Mountain. I know the Liberal Party team is stronger then ever, more united then ever, and more ready then ever, to govern our great country under Stephane Dion.

Post-Convention Chronicles

Hello everyone! If you were lucky enough to attend the 2006 Leadership Convention, you must be recovered by now since it's already two months later! I can't believe how time flies.
This is Ali Jonzon writing. I am one of the youth representatives on the Liberal Party of Canada's National Campaign Committee and a National Co-Chair of the Young Liberal's Election Campaign Committee. My counterpart is the wonderful Melissa Pierre from Quebec. I, myself, live in "Liberal-rich" Alberta. I think I was given the honour of serving on the above mentioned committees because they know that Alberta Liberals are the toughest! In any case, I'm extremely happy and excited to be a voice for the youth as we prepare for the next election (which we're going to win, by the way).
Some of you may remember me as a National Youth Co-Chair of the Michael Ignatieff campaign. Why, you ask, am I now on all these election committees if Ignatieff didn't win? Two words: tous ensemble. I am a Liberal first and foremost, which superceeds any leadership contest; serving my party is the priority. I'm not going to lie, I was devastated when the contestant I worked so hard for didn't win the leadership (you may have even seen the photo of me crying in Maclean's), but I also know that we're in very good hands under M. Stephane Dion! Think about it: he's a federalist, a Francophone, an intellectual, and an environmentalist. That is a lot of ammo against Stephen Harper! So far I've been very impressed by Dion, and am confident that he will only get better.
Since the convention, us Young Liberals have been working harder than ever to prepare for the next election. We have an amazingly talented youth team in place that have already accomplished so much. To name a few:

• Marc Andre Gendron's YouTube Attack Ad Rebuttal was viewed on Mike Duffy Live and, to date, has received over 4800 hits! See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0pKGdLjxk


• Several letters to the editor have been printed in both local and national papers, including the Globe and Mail.


• Young Liberals in BC and Ontario have protested Harper's "child-care" program and Wajid Khan's crossing, respectively. Both of these protests received national media attention. My favourite lines from these protests were: (1) Help not Harpocrisy, and (2) Khan is Khanfused. These protests are a great example of a grassroots way to make people listen to the Young Liberals!


• Young Liberals across the country were present at the Canadian Federation of Student protests, handing out flyers detailing Harper's so-called Post-Secondary Education platform, as compared to the Liberal's Post-Secondary Education funding and policies. For example, the Conservatives promised an $80 textbook credit that you receive when the school year is done. Whereas the Liberals dedicated $2.2 billion over five years to improve student financial assistance and help make post-secondary education more affordable for lower- and middle-income Canadians. Too bad one textbook is twice the amount the Conservatives promised. I think the students got the message that the Liberal Party are students' friends, while the Conservatives really aren't.

I could go on, but I think I'll leave the bragging there. The truth is--we're organized and we're ready to take the Tories head-on. If you're not currently in contact with any Young Liberals in your area and would like to help in the next election, please e-mail me at ajonzon@ualberta.ca and I'll put you in touch with a Young Liberal in your area.

Let's kick some Tory blue butt!