Dion’s National Security: A Sit and Wait Approach
February 15, 2007 · By Matthew Campbell
The Edmonton Journal (subscription required; another verision of the story can be found here) is reporting today that not one, but three, former Liberal cabinet ministers are calling for the Liberal Party to support the renewal of anti-terror measures that will be expiring this spring. Anne McLellan, John Manley and Irwin Colter all served in Jean Chretien’s cabinet when that Liberal government put through the initial terror legislation in the wake of the 9-11 attacks on New York and Washington:
OTTAWA – Three former Liberal ministers emerged Wednesday to oppose their party’s position on a pair of contentious anti-terror measures, arguing like the Conservatives that the provisions should be safeguarded as a matter of public interest. Former public safety minister Anne McLellan, former finance minister John Manley and former justice minister Irwin Cotler said the measures, introduced in the wake of the 9/11 attacks by their government, should not be allowed to lapse as Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has suggested.
This story once again goes on to demonstrate how Stephane Dion is playing politics with our nation’s security and stability, all in an attempt to win over voters from the NDP. Let’s remember that this legislation that is under consideration for renewal was only passed roughly five years ago and that Dion himself sat in the cabinet which passed this legislation. His three former colleagues at least have enough sense to see that in light of last year’s terror cell bust in Toronto, as well as in what has happened in the world since 2001, Canada still needs these laws today. What this also shows is that the Liberals truly do not have a consistent and coherent plan for our national security.
Dion’s suggestion that the laws be allowed to lapse shows just how little he really cares about this issue and its major implications. After all, if the man wants to be this country’s next Prime Minister in the next year or two, you would at least think that he’d have an alternative to offer the minority government in Ottawa. Such leadership is greatly lacking in Dion’s office, and in the Liberal caucus as a whole these days. After all, when you have other Liberals criticizing your inaction, you’re really unfit to make decisions for a country like Canada!
Two great and promising stories covered by The Politic: Dion is losing support in his party over his determination to let the anti-terror legislation lapse that was put in place by a Liberal government — under Jean Chrétien. In fact, Anne McLellan, John Manley and Irwin Cotler have come out in support of extending that vital
Dion’s National Security: A Sit and Wait Approach The Edmonton Journal (subscription required; another verision of the story can be found here) is reporting today that not one, but three, former Liberal cabinet ministers are calling for the Liberal Party to support the renewal of anti-terror measures that will be expiring
Two great and promising stories covered by The Politic: Dion is losing support in his party over his determination to let the anti-terror legislation lapse that was put in place by a Liberal government  under Jean Chrétien. In fact, Anne McLellan, John Manley and Irwin Cotler have come out in support of extending that vital
Dion is the quintessential liberal.
Just get the votes, no matter what the cost.
Power is all that matters.
I can show you 6 year olds with more integrity than that spineless simp.
After all, when you have other Liberals criticizing your inaction, you’re really unfit to make decisions for a country like Canada!
Similarly then, I would assume that if other Conservatives criticize Stephen Harper’s opinions you would then declare that he is “unfit to make decisions for a country like Canada!”?
No. I didn’t think so.
How this post merited a Bourque headline is beyond me.
catnip you have as much brains as your coward freinds the Liberals.I would only hope in your lifetime that you need help from this guy dion to save you or your familly.He would run away,like the other gutless libs.Then i would hope that you will wake up and see the true consequences of backing a party that cannot and will not back up its talk.They are only good at talking and lying and screwing the Canadian people.Why do you liberals have such a hate for this country that you are always trying to destroy it.Yes tell your children why you support a party thats trying to destroy Canada.Didnt think you could catnip,typical lib all talk and no action. SHAME
Holy cow. It’s Matthew’s first day at ThePolitic and he’s been linked to by Bourque!
Oh wait, that’s Joel. Sorry, ha ha ha…
[...] The Edmonton Journal (subscription required; another verision of the story can be found here) is reporting today that not one, but three, former Liberal cabinet ministers are calling for the Liberal Party to support the renewal of anti-terror measures that will be expiring this spring. Anne McLellan, John Manley and Irwin Colter all served in Jean Chretien’s cabinet when that Liberal government put through the initial terror legislation in the wake of the 9-11 attacks on New York and Washington: [...]
I was thinking this was leftie vote buying too.
But, maybe this really is Dion.
When he says
‘What ever Jack says, Me too’, maybe he means it.
creepy…
Dion Kerry should be his new name
Liberals were against the GST before they were for it
Liberals were against Free-trade before they were for it
Liberals were against a female leader until Dion was for it
Liberals were for the Afgan mission before Dion was against it
Liberals were against Income Trust until they were for them
Dion was against implimenting Kyoto while in power and now is for it
Liberals were for anti-Terrorist laws before they wer against them
And on and on…….
So, the Tory position is that the Liberals did nothing for 13 years and were soft on terror – except for this one tiny thing that has never been used but if we remove it we will be terrorized?
Sounds to me like Dion is a NEW LEADER with NEW POLICY POSITIONS and that has pissed the Tories off who are trying to brand him as a guy from the past.
I wonder if Dion spoke out against these measures when they first introduced in cabinet?
Bob Rae is actually also against Dion on this one.
As you know Rae did a report on Air India and if this law is allowed to expire then the current Air Indy inquiry would be shut down because its investigation relies on powers granted under this law.
[...] position on renewing the government’s anti-terror legislation has already cost him support within his own party. But that may be just the beginning: A key investigative tool being used to [...]
Canadians are asleep. It would be nice to think, as Dion does, our country will not be threatened and security measures are not required. WRONG. The oil refineries, pipelines and the Tar sands are in jeopardy and, seemingly, unprotected. Our Prime Minister was threatened – like a first ever in this country.
We do have protection with our English system of parliamentary rule – that our Constitutional rights are protected and not easily taken from us. The Liberal government managed to divert those rights of one man – who is alive and fought for his right to live as a Canadian.
No government is perfect but it appears this Conservative government has attempted to implement measures that would bring some safety back to its citizens and penalize those who cause harm. After a quarter of a century – it’s a new concept. Meaning no disrespect but Quebec has never opted for war – except for their famous Van Duys but – we need to protect the citizens of this country. That is the right of it all.
So, if they trash this law, how will Mark Holland enforce his Kyoto “consequences”, should the Libs get back to the trough? These guys are not thinking far enough ahead.
Dion is losing it…
Two great and promising stories covered by The Politic: Dion is losing support in his party over his determination to let the anti-terror legislation lapse that was put in place by a Liberal government — under Jean Chrétien. In fact,…
Said from the beginning that Dion didn’t have it and didn’t get it. He got in by default because Ignatief made errors and Kennedy gaged Dion’s weakness and gave him his votes knowing that in 2 yrs Dion would be out and he could get the job.
Dion is all over the place and will be dangerous for Canada if he get his hand on the till, using our dollars for his grandiose schemes overlapping provincial jurisdictions, like all former liberal prime ministers. Keep the liberals out of office to save Canada should be our motto.
“Stephane Dion is playing politics with our nation’s security and stability”.
Wow! A politician playing politics – what a scandal! This is one of my pet peeves. I hate it when I hear the old saying “he’s playin politics”. Of course he’s playing politics you morons! He’s a bloody POLItician. That is his JOB!!!!! I dont give a damn what Dion does, he’s the opposition – not the governemnt. I don’t care what people say or criticize him on. Just please stop accusing politicians of being “political”!!!!Its just about the least insightful comment anyone can make.
[...] keep in mind that this was written before Dion’s most recent mis-steps. This entry was written by Aaron Unruh and posted on Fri Feb 16, 2007 at 3:51 pm and filed [...]