Michael Ignatieff says he is ready to lead a new coalition government unless Stephen Harper's Conservatives scrap their attack ads, drop their partisan edge and present a budget that addresses the needs of Canada's struggling economy.
"He can continue down this path of divisive politics or he can start working constructively with Parliament. The choice is his," the newly anointed Liberal Leader warned on Wednesday.
Mr. Ignatieff said it us up to the Prime Minister to reach out with policies that satisfy the opposition's concerns.
The Toronto MP and internationally-known academic went before the cameras after the Liberal caucus and the party's national executive named him as interim leader, to be confirmed by members at a convention in April.
His answers to various questions made clear that Mr. Ignatieff is eager to present an image of political strength, after watching his predecessor, Stéphane Dion, repeatedly attacked as a weak leader by what he referred to as the "buzz saw" of Conservative media tactics.
Talking tough in his first news conference as Liberal leader, he said: "The challenges we face as a country are formidable. Canadians are worried about their jobs, their savings and their future. They want stability, they want leadership, and they want a government they can trust."
"... At a time when every other major government is taking decisive action, Mr. Harper has shut down Canada's Parliament."
Mr. Ignatieff went on to criticize the Prime Minister's decision to reopen the national unity debate by attacking the Liberal-NDP deal as a "separatist coalition" and said he is ready to topple the minority Conservatives.
"I want every Canadian to know that the Liberal Party is united, strong and ready to provide the leadership we need. Where Mr. Harper has failed, we can succeed."
Mr. Ignatieff noted he is willing to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss the economy, but has yet to receive an invitation.
"I'm always available, but I want him to present an alternative," he said, warning Mr. Harper not to miscalculate as he prepares the January budget.
Wednesday's developments bring to an end Mr. Dion's tumultuous term as leader.
Amid the flurry on Parliament Hill last week, it appeared for a time that he would avoid joining Edward Blake, who led the party in the late 1800s, as the only other Liberal leader not to become prime minister.
But it was not to be.
Scrummed by reporters as he made his way for the outdoors, Mr. Dion said he looks forward to working for his new leader.
"I'm very proud of the party. I'm very confident that we'll be able to help Canadians in [these] tough situations," he said. "I'm very proud to leave in a way [that] gives Canadians a great leader, with Michael Ignatieff."
The change in leadership means Mr. Dion will have to move out of Stornaway, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Ottawa's prestigious Rockliffe neighbourhood. He also loses his chauffeured car.
As he made his way to the exit, he joked to reporters that he would have taken the bus to work, but Ottawa transit workers are on strike.
Liberal MPs who have been wary of the coalition proposal, including Keith Martin, said Wednesday they were encouraged by the Prime Minister's comments calling for Liberals and Conservatives to work together on the economy.
"I think Mr. Harper's comments are welcome," said Dr. Martin. "We will have to see whether they're backed up by action and words."
Liberal MPs praised Mr. Dion and insisted the coalition with the New Democrats is not dead. But they also held out the possibility that they could allow passage of the budget to be delivered by the Conservatives on Jan. 27 if it provides the kind of economic stimulus they have been demanding.
"Mr. Ignatieff has been very clear," said Dominic Leblanc, a New Brunswick MP who withdrew from the Liberal leadership race this week.
"The only responsible thing for us to do is to listen to Canadians, see what Mr. Harper proposes in the budget. He alone is responsible for the crisis he's created. And then the caucus and the leader will be in the position to make those decisions [about whether to defeat the Conservative government] when we get to the end of January."
