The Liberal leadership race is approaching a crucial juncture, with the delegates for its Montreal convention being selected across the country over the weekend of Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
globeandmail.com invited all of the candidates to come on-line before that delegate-selection process.
We were pleased to have Martha Hall Findlay take part in this important series of live on-line discussions.
The questions and Ms. Hall Findlay's answers appear at the bottom of this page.
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In 2004, Ms. Hall Findlay lost the Ontario riding of Newmarket-Aurora to Belinda Stronach and stepped aside when Ms. Stronach crossed the floor to the Liberals. Today, the Toronto lawyer is thought to represent a fresh face in the Liberal leadership race. Her Big Red Bus campaign is rooted in rebuilding the party at a grassroots level.
Ms. Hall Findlay graduated from the University of Toronto's international relations program and then from Osgoode Hall Law School. Since then, she has worked as a lawyer, businesswoman and entrepreneur.
Ms. Hall Findlay has extensive non-profit and volunteer experience, having served as a director and executive with various community organizations and ratepayer associations, including CKUA Radio in Alberta, The Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs and the Georgian Bay Association. She has recently served as vice president, policy of the Ontario Women's Liberal Commission, and is an active participant in Equal Voice, a multi-partisan organization dedicated to promoting more women in politics.
Her policy work has included governance of non-profit organizations; water issues and The Great Lakes; and supporting efforts toward research, development and commercialization of new, alternative energy production and conservation technologies (having been a solar power user for many years).
Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each question/comment. Comments/questions may be edited for length or clarity. We will not publish questions/comments that include personal attacks on participants in these discussions, that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or questions/comments that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.
Rasha Mourtada, globeandmail.com: Good afternoon, Ms. Hall Findlay, and thank you for joining us to answer questions from globeandmail.com readers. Let's get started. What is the single most-important reason why you should be elected leader of the Liberal party and have a chance to become the Prime Minister of Canada?
Martha Hall Findlay: I believe, frankly, that I'm the best person for the job, a job that is critical to a great future for Canada. I wouldn't be doing this otherwise. We need a leader, both for the Liberal Party and for the country, who can take action, get things done, but with policies that reflect our core Liberal principles, including equality, social justice, opportunity for all Canadians, prosperity and sustainability. We are incredibly lucky in this country — people the world over choose Canada because of our embracing of diversity, freedom of expression, social justice and equality of opportunity. This is all about building an even better Canada, for all Canadians.
Why am I the best person for the job? I believe that what a person has accomplished in the past — including the challenges they have overcome -- and how, speaks far more loudly about what that person can accomplish, and how, in the future. So let me tell you a little bit about what I've accomplished: I graduated from high school at 15; I skied competitively, and in so doing learned how to compete successfully in a completely individual sport, but one in which all of one's training, travel and support mechanisms are with a team -- a terrific combination and learning experience. I worked my way through university and law school with jobs such as waiting on tables and in construction -- and I know all too well the challenges of student loans! My first child, Katie, was born while I was studying for my BA; my second one, Everett, was born just before starting law school; my third, Patrick, was born just after my second year of law school. (Needless to say, I understand all too well the day care and early learning challenges facing Canadians.) I am proud to have successfully navigated teenagehood three times over (the kids are now 25, 23 and 21). I have been a successful lawyer, businesswoman and entrepreneur -- all great experiences. I have served on a number of boards of directors, and as president (elected by my peers) of two large non-profit organizations. My political experience includes a history of policy work, but also, in 2004, running a campaign that far exceeded anyone's expectations, and then being able to put the team first, in stepping aside for Ms. Stronach in the spring of 2005. I speak French thanks to Liberal policies of bilingualism, which paved the way for me to attend a completely French school for 10 years when I was young. Last but not least, being fifth of six children with rousing dinner table discussions, I had no choice but to learn to debate and compete effectively.
