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Martha Hall Findlay takes your questions on the Liberal leadership race

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 12:12 PM EDT 05/10/06

Liberal leadership candidate took questions. ...Read the full article

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  1. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, the Harper Gov't is Incompetent, Canada writes: Martha Hall Findlay defines 'refreshing' as applied to a politician (as opposed to the totally inappropriate use of this term for Harper). Although I would assign a pretty low probability to the chances of her actually winning the leadership race, she's a great addition to the political scene in Canada (for any party). She'll be a definite factor in the outcome. I hope she has the best of luck in the week's ahead.
  2. R Harris from Canada writes: Not the Alliance #1 - agree with you on Hall-Findlay, but give it a rest on Harper. You cannot do one post no matter what the topic without your personal insults of him.
  3. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: This candidate , Martha Hall Findlay , has it all to be the Prime Minister !
  4. Miles Lunn from Vancouver, Canada writes: I am certainly quite impressed with Martha Hall-Findlay's qualities. Although her chances of winning are low, I do think whoever she throws her support behind on the convention floor will get a bit boost if not in numbers, at least morally. Hopefully she will continue to work within the party and considering her age, I see no reason why there won't be another opportunity. She is still 19 years younger than what Paul Martin was when he became Liberal leader and I highly doubt the next leader will be leader for 19 years, if that has ever happened in any party.
  5. Jonathan Kilius from Canada writes: As you all know I am a major Conservative supporter right now. But I have to say this is the best Liberal leadership interview I have seen so far. No pulling the Harper is Bush, Harper is bad card. Just informative answers. I'm very impressed, I may not agree with some stuff, but it is finally good to see a liberal come up with honest answers and not Harper Bash for no reason other then to spout talking points to the sheep, who need to relate everything to Bush. Martha would make a great oppistion leader. Maybe even PM some day - Did I just say PM, my god it must be time to go home.
  6. Jung-Suk Ryu from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada writes: The bottom line is: Many doubted her intentions when she first declared her candidacy for the leadership of the Party. In fact, these same doubts existed when she was a candidate against Belinda Stronach in 2004. Nobody knew that she would actually be victorious on Election Day against Belinda, but actually lost those several hundred votes (less than 1%) in the advance polls. Now the same doubters are scratching their heads - the media pundits have praised her efforts to reach out to the grassroots, her outstanding ideas, and her brilliant performances at the debates. As someone put it the other day, she's the 'dark horse,' but she's also the 'best horse.' It is now time to eliminate the typical flowchart in picking a leader. We have picked the typical leaders in the past - cabinet ministers with loads of experience, but at the same time, loads of baggae - long-time party insiders who know the ins and outs of politics but only use this experience to serve their own good - the list goes on and on. What do we need in the Party now? Something fresh - not a flowchart - but a checklist. Bilingual? Yes. Intelligent? Incredibly so. Articulate? Yes, Martha has excelled in the so-called debates and have outperformed those who have more 'experience.' Honest? Yes, with courage to stand up for what she believes in. Courageous? Yes. Look at her campaign. Frugal? Yes, campaign bus says it all. Will she become Prime Minister? Yes - she has resonated with all Canadians already.
  7. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, the Harper Gov't is Incompetent, Canada writes: R. Harris Post 2: Yeah, you're probably right - just got very tired of seeing all the cloned posts about how 'refreshing' Harper was...
  8. Jung-Suk Ryu from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada writes: I think it's a bit too early to still say whether or not Martha does not have a chance in winning the leadership race. Martha will definitely pass the first ballot, and then it's anyone's game from there.
  9. Charles Hoppe from Weymouth, Nova Scotia, Canada writes: If the Liberal Party saw things the way Jung-Suk Ryu does and elected Martha Hall Findlay as its Leader the Canadian Political landscape would improve immensely and become much more civilized. Now if she would only keep really small promises like sending a picture when promised I would even be more impressed.
  10. Oh, come on! from Regina, Canada writes: I'm grateful to the G&M for giving all the Liberal Leadership candidates this opportunity to connect with the public. While I think perhaps Carolyn Bennett has been weakest on answering questions in this internet method, all the candidates are impressive and I'm excited to get to know the talent pool this way. It's a deep pool of intelligent, committed people and it's exciting to think this person could be next PM. Of course, as a 'Gliberal' living in a sea of right wing nutjobs (Vellacott, anyone??) out here, that makes me proud, happy and full of eager anticipation. Go Libbys Go.
  11. maryetta thielen from Lethbridge, Ab, Canada writes: She was the first to enter the race and completely ignored by the media. They were waiting for a star=BS comes to mind. That she has come so far with so little money is fantastic. She reminds me a little of Mrs Thatcher, but the media and others are behind iggy. They were also behind PET and you know what that cost us. I think she would make a great opposition leader for the next 10 years at least. IF elected as leader a lot of hangers on will leave when they realize their time at the trough is over for good, and she can rebuild the party with honest grassroots people. Where is BS, haven't seen or heard of her for months. Wonder what she thinks of Peter and Condi.
  12. Miles Lunn from Vancouver, Canada writes: I thought her health care comment was interesting. While I have no problem with a parallel private system since we already sort have one considering there are a number of private clinics where one can pay for faster service or one can always go south of the border, I do think more private delivery as well as real reforms instead of just throwing more money at the problem and saying public good, private bad is the way to go. If we can lower wait times to the point where a parallel private system is not needed, I am all for that. I simply believe that if patients cannot get care in a timely manner, they shouldn't be stopped from paying for it as the Supreme Court also ruled in the Chaoulli case.
  13. Tracy Muggli from Saskatoon, Canada writes: I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with Martha when she was in Saskatoon a few weeks ago. She is the most approachable and forthcoming, and intellectually gifted politician I have met in years. I am so impressed by her fearlessness in the debates to come out from behind the podium and truly engage her audiences, eye to eye. This is a quality of a true leader!
  14. Jack Ryan from Victoria, Canada writes: As a former Liberal who left in disgust, I have to admit to being impressed with Martha Hall'Findley's interview. I've worked on national Liberal leadership campaigns and been on national campaigh committees in the past. Hall-findley had the misfortune to runn against Belinda Stonach in 2004 and, as a Conservative, I must say it was a shame Hall-Findley lost. The disappointment is not due to Stonach's flip-flop, but due to the fact that a quality candidate lost out to a lightweight. Stronach's one year of (un)successful post secondary education won out due to daddy appointing her President of his company. Intelligence and achievement lost out to daddy's bucks and the media's complicity in trying to create 'starpower' out of a life of no achievement and no ability. I agree with some of Hall-Findley's position, and I must say I appreciate her attitude, experience at what she has accomplished, and her obvious intelligence. I wish her well, but I worry the bandwagons of big names (and little accomplishments) will win out.
  15. Dave Medich from Windsor, Canada writes: I think he'd be good for the Liberals.
  16. Harvey Mushman from Canada writes: She did on this forum what I've been wanting to hear from a politician's mouth for years...something...anything, positive about other political parties and people. Bravo! Having voted Reform/Conservative since the Cretien/Martin 'dark ages' I never thought a Liberal could tempt me back. Never say never I guess.
  17. Roger Freel from Canada writes: Doin't worry, Poster 1, your posts are 'refreshing.' The neo-anderthals don't like them, which can only mean that your posts are insightful and rational.
  18. Ensley Hill from Digby, Canada writes: Although there is much to respect, and even admire, about Ms. Hall Findlay, I thought her position on the War On Terror was a little weak. Her suggestion that the goal(s) was/were not entirely clear, and perhaps not achievable, sounded like something of a pullback position. The WOT, and particularly Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, is a very serious and needful undertaking and I wonder if Canada would now be shouldering its share of the burden if the Liberals, even under her leadershipship, were in power. To me the goal seems clear and the need urgent--to defeat terrorist organizations, e.g. the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and to nuture and promote, even enforce, tolerant democratic governments in places like Afghanistan. Will we shrink from other urgent needs, such as Sudan for instance, or other arenas where theocratic dictatorships cause danger and humanitarian crises in the near and long term future? We need strength and resolution if our commitment to peace and freedom is to have any meaning. It's fine to say we need debate but a leader must have a firm position in mind to further that debate. She can't go into it without some clear sense of direction, I would think. And what of support for Israel's struggle for survival? What of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Lebanon?
  19. Ken Lawson from Richmond BC, Canada writes: I think this person has 2 chances to be the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Slim and None, But I do not see a Prime Minister in the mix, Dion finished once the Auditor General's Report comes out and he deserves it. Liberals may want to move on, but the Label of Corrupted will be with them for a long time, Because of all these Programs going wrong has infurated Canadians so much across the country, they will think 3 times before they vote for this party, but we could see soon!
  20. john kendle from Winnipeg, Canada writes: I am very, very wary of any move to private health care delivery in this country and thus unhappy with Ms. Finlay's blithe belief that privatised services can help reduce wait times and costs. If, as she suggests, they will introduce greater efficiencies, something that many studies would deny is the case, who will maintain the quality of our health care and ensure that it remains universally accessible to all without queue-jumping? Without clear, comprehensive, binding legislation that is fully enforceable nationwide - and that is enforced - I think any move to privatised delivery is a recipe for disaster. We don't enforce the Canada Health Act we have now!
  21. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: Martha Hall Findlay is a young dynamic Margaret Thatcher who managed the Falklands war and led her country to peace and prosperity . Read Martha's statements and comments on the U.N. ; Nato & Lebanon , there is the thoughtful quality of an intellegent leader there . The Shouldice Hernia Clinic is a world renowned example of private sector contribution to health care in Canada and an example this candidate has mentioned. Using private sector airlines to fly sick and dying people to destinations at home or to for-profit care abroad is a last century solution of our present government . Lets stop blindly throwing money at health care and start throwing some innovative ideas . Keith M. , Kincardine , On.
  22. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: Keith from Canada writes:Mrs. Findlay is a young dynamic Margret Thatcher ( who managed the Falklands war and led her country to peace and prosperity ) . Go to her website or read her interviews on the U.N. , Nato , Lebanon and Afghanistan . This is a leader with bright approaches and not your typical politician pandering for votes. Dare to change , it's time.
  23. Steven McNair from Edmonton, Canada writes: Martha Hall Findlay had one of her staff ask her questions during this 'discussion'. Ms Hall-Findlay was asked a question by Jung-Suk Ryu. Mr. Ryu, as you may recall, is the former Edmonton city council candidate who falsified documents and lied about his campaign. He now works for Hall-Findlay. There are photos of them two together at http://albertawantsmartha.blogspot.com/. Some more background on Mr. Jung-Suk Ryu: http://www.gateway.ualberta.ca/view.php?aid=3108 Shame on you.
  24. neil DeVries from Beamsville, Canada writes: Good work Mr McNair!! That's a laugh... Hmmm, Corruption isn't part of her platform, maybe shiftiness is?
  25. Rick McNaulty from Calgary, Canada writes: Man is the Globe getting boring. Who cares about the corrupt Liberals? Are you all so concerned about the name of the Liberal leader that will be crushed at the next election? All Liberals have proven to date is they disagree with eachother on MAJOR issues as much as they diagree with the Conservatives. The Liberals have no one able to fight an election and win. So who cares which incompetant loser they pick?
  26. arnie patterson from bedford, Canada writes: i went to hear martha hall findlay at a halifax liberal gathering last night. i left totally impressed. she not only spoke well and fully on all of the major issues but she radiated a genuine warmth which reached just about everyone in the room. as an old political observer i think when this race for the leadership is over martha hall findlay will emerge as a new star on the canadian political firmament. arnie patters, former press secretary to pierre elliot trudeau and twice a liberal federal candidate.
  27. Daniel Sturgis from Rabat, Morocco writes: So she answered a supporter's question? If one of my friends sent me a question in an open forum, I'd probably answer it too. So he was a naive 19-year-old kid who told a couple stupid lies. Does that make his question irrelevent? Talk about whiny partisan sniping.
  28. Tim Brown from Ottawa, writes: The idea of inspiration seems so far removed from politics in recent years that it may seem naive. And yet even though I am a cynical NDP supporting law student I found Hall Findlay's answers provided some hope for an actual debate and the possibility of solutions. Good luck to her. I hope I will be voting for her for PM.
  29. keith meisenheimer from Kincardine, Canada writes: Answer to Edmonton : I'm a fervent supporter of Martha . I got caught throwing snowballs at cars when I was !0 years old. I read somewhere that all of Martha's help are volunteers ? As Canadians we follow USA patterns : cost of higher education ; drug use ; computer use ; crumbling inner cities ; war on terrorism ; political speak & tactics ; questions concerning Bush's last two wins . I want better for my grandchildren . I've watched politics from Diefenbaker's time , I've watched Finday since she took a bullet for Martin and the liberals . I'll need a better slur than that to change my mind !
  30. Catherine Meade from Halifax, Canada writes: Before we start bestowing any 'smoking gun' awards on Mr. McNair, let's get a few facts straight. Firstly, Mr. Ryu is probably not a member of Ms. Hall Findlay's staff. He is a regional campaign director and coordinator - these are in all likelihood volunteer positions. Secondly, and more importantly, Ms. Hall Findlay does not feign not knowing Mr. Ryu in responding to his question. On the contrary, she makes her acquaintance with him clear by beginning the substance of her response with 'As you know, I did live in Alberta for a couple of years...'. Unquestionably, she is directing her response to someone she knows and who knows her. Mr. McNair, there are no grounds for her to feel 'shame'. I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ms. Hall Findlay twice in the last couple of months. And, I have also met most of the other leadership candidates over the course of the summer. Ms. Hall Findlay is a true 'stand out' for me. Her accessibility as well as her willingness to listen are both remarkable. Others who have written today have already commented on her intelligence, her demonstrated ability and, yes, her 'refreshing' approach to politics. For these reasons and more I am thrilled that she made the decision to run for the leadership of the Liberals. And I believe that she can win.
  31. 20 20 from Canada writes: Thanks #23 Steven McNair. From the first link you provided: 'I'm Jung-Suk, the Alberta Campaign Director and West Coordinator for Martha.' And the second link you provided just makes it all look so much worse. Mr. Ryu should not have submitted a question without disclosing his association with Ms. Findlay's campagin, and Ms. Findlay should not have answered it without making that disclosure herself. Of course, there's no way of knowing for sure if someone is really who they are on this forum, but this does not look good. If this was him, and especially if what is said about him on the 2nd link is true, I think Martha Hall Findlay (or any political party, for that matter) would do well to distance herself from him. This lack of disclosure does not exactly spell out honesty, transparency, or openness. On the other hand you could say it was honest in that he didn't make up a name. At the very least it shows a lack of judgement, on both his part and hers. I thought Ms. Findlay gave an otherwise very good interview and it tells us that she comes very well prepared. Perhaps a little too well prepared in advance. This exposed gaffe, her stance on healthcare privatization, and her popularity with Harperite-Thatcherite-conservatives here all give me pause. By the way, I had the impression from Scott Brison's interview that some questions might have been lobbed in that one too. I hope, probably naively, that other candidates will take a higher ground and not stoop to this.
  32. Joel B from Toronto, Canada writes: It doesn't seem that subversive, she acknowledges that she knows Jung-Suk in her response, 'As you know, I lived in Edmonton...' etc
  33. Claire Kilgour from Toronto, Canada writes: It's refreshing to hear a politician who actually sounds like a real person. In reading the transcripts from Martha Hall Findlay’s discussion it’s clear that she is so much more than just a platform politician. Her responses were insightful and articulate, but what really impressed me was the way she managed to share her own personal experiences. In speaking about being a working mother, travelling across Canada in a bus and living abroad she brings a depth to her viewpoints that so many of the candidates in this race lack. If Martha truly believes in “leading by example” I feel secure knowing she will lead the Liberals in the right direction. I wish her the best of luck in the coming weeks!
  34. J Fryer from Ottawa, Canada writes: I agree.. great detective work, Steven. I will point out that she acknowledged that she had previously known him by responding 'Great question, Jung-Suk, thanks. As you know, I did live in Alberta for a couple of years...' so she was somewhat.. what's the government's buzzword for this.... transparent.
  35. David Gehring from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada writes: MHF's responses were calm, logical and well-thought... that's not suitable for a politician! Where was the partisan banter or the inflexible ideology? By far the best interview of the candidates so far. I still think she chose to run for the leadership too soon though, she needs more political experience (although I hope such experience won't lead to the partisan, idealogically-driven thinking that plagues so many other politicians.)
  36. R Harris from Canada writes: I do like her open manner and the way she addresses issues head on. The planted question possibility is troublesome though. The G&M should not have allowed a member of her staff to post a question. And she should have openly acknowledged it was frm a staff member. It was a fair question and if she had simply acknowldged it clearly that he was a staff member and then answered, then you could say wow she undertsnads transparency. The 'as you know' intro to her response is not an acknowledgement that he is on her staff at all. She could simply assume he knows since his obviously a supporter or they could simply have met. Neither is the same as him being a staff member. It is not paritsan whining - it is a fact.
  37. John Smith from Canada writes: Rick McNaulty, the correct question would be who cares about who you want to insult and oppress? Sorry you have to live in a democratic society, some people like to consider differences in ideas and leadership - this even means they might switch parties from election to election. Thanks to the Globe for providing opportunity to each leadership candidate to respond to questions - some people do like to think and learn and grow.
  38. Michael Crowell from Halifax, Canada writes: Not ever being a Liberal nor will I ever be one; I must say she is impressive. At least she is reasonable in her thinking. I would encourage her to drop out of the leadership race and cross over to the Conservatives. She is far too pragmatic to be a Liberal. She will not win because she comes across as honest and hard working and that is not at all Liberal like. I fear if she hangs around to long she will get caught up in one of the Liberal Crime families. Next thing you know she will want to start a new Program and then the brown envelopes will bpassed around under tables. Get out Martha now while you are able and you are not tainted.
  39. Stewart Mawdsley from Fort Smith NWT, Canada writes: I'm very frustrated that a candidate like MHF is not taken seriously by the media. She seems an infinitely more capable and likeable candidate than MIchael Ignatieff, and yet he's all we here about. It's also a reflection of the problems with the convention type voting that determines the leader. Having known some people who're very involved in politics and conventions, I know how insular that world can be, and it's excellent to see such an exceptionally qualified candidate break into this arena where someone with 'star power' has such a huge advantage. Case in point, her 2004 election oponent, Belinda Stronach - regardless of her background with Magna and her floor-crossing incident, have you heard her speak publicly or answer questions? She's an absolute robot, incapable of forming coherent thoughts on the spot or straying 'off message'. Contrast this with the astute, fearless and dynamic debating skills of Mrs. Hall Findlay and you can see how simple star power can win you an election. Go MHF!!
  40. runner danchuk from Saskatoon, Canada writes: I feel that Martha Hall Finley is a woman of conviction. She follows her heart and I follow her's, n that she is so genuine and sincere. I will support you Martha. You seem to have analytical skills that are so needed in our county today
  41. chris pengelly from toronto, Canada writes: Having worked very briefly with Martha Findlay back in 1995, I have to say that she is definitely up to the job of Head of the Liberal party. Her focus on getting things done well combined with her integrity and honesty will assist her as she attempts to bring the Liberal party back to where Canadians need the party to be. I followed her previous campaign and was amazed as were others that she did as well as she did. This time hopefully she will succeed. Hats off to her inexpensive but dedicated campaign!

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