Dion puts on brave face amid warnings of Quebec disarray

by CBC — March 25, 2008

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has shrugged off criticism of his party's election preparations in Quebec, saying that what Liberals need is a winning attitude.

During a trip to New Brunswick on Tuesday, Dion said he wants to continue working with both his Quebec lieutenant, Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, and the president of the party's Quebec wing, Robert Fragasso, who were reported last week to be at loggerheads.

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion says Quebec Liberals need a winning attitude.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

"Rather than the fear of losing, we must listen to the will to win," Dion said.

"And we will win with Senator Hervieux-Payette and president Fragasso and the whole team in Quebec, because the stakes are too high."

On the weekend, a vice-president of the Quebec wing, Steven Pinkus, raised a public alarm about election readiness in the province.

Pinkus, who represents English-speaking party members, said recruitment was going poorly, riding associations were in disarray, the party had fewer candidates than a year ago and interesting candidates were lost due hesitation by leaders.

Dion is headed to Montreal later this week.

In New Brunswick, he dished out election promises as party supporters ate pancakes at a breakfast in Fredericton, the Canadian Press reported.

Dion was critical of the Conservative government, saying the Liberals would do a better job on such things as debt reduction and protecting the environment.

That includes saying no to bulk exports of Canada's water supplies, he said.

Dion said the Liberals will announce plans to cut poverty in Canada by one-third and child poverty by half.

In order for Canada to compete globally, his party would make university accessible to all Canadians, and not just those at the upper income levels, he said.

Source:CBC top stories