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Michael Ignatieff took your questions on the Liberal leadership race

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 2:24 AM EDT 01/10/06

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

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  1. Al Gorman from Val d'Or, Canada writes: A visionary leader who espouses and articulates values. Michael Ignatieff defines the leadership that the Liberal Party and Canada require. His concern with environmental stewardhip in 2050 defines his capacity. If Ignatieff is capable of putting together an environmental action plan that reaches out 50 years he will be among the most capable prime ministers this country has ever seen. The hook for me was his take on tolerance. His response has reverberated because he stands for inclusion, embracing minorities, and recognizing the individuality associated with multiculturalism within the Canadian tapestry not only among races but from region to region. Liberals and Canadians will have missed the boat if we let this guy slip by.
  2. I R from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: Mr. Ignatieff's reply to Ashfaq Choudhury's question makes me rethink him as a viable candidate. Perhaps he is not the evil neo-con he has been branded to be...
  3. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, the Harper Gov't is Incompetent, Canada writes: Have to admit, I didn't want to like this guy, but can't help but be impressed. My prediction for this race is that it's going to be between Rae and Iggy with the swing votes belonging to Martha Hall Findlay. Combine that with Dion and Kennedy and that's a pretty solid race. I just hope they can stay away from the infighting and stay sharply focussed Harper and his gang of misfit toys. The sooner Harper and gang are away from any dangerous switches/levers the better. I don't like Harper, but he does serve a purpose as an opposition leader, where he can put his bitterness and hate of all things to good use. As for the rest of the Harper 'conservatives' - really makes no difference - they're being kept locked up anyway - who would miss them?
  4. jill brossard from Calgary, Canada writes: To lead Canadians, you have to live the Canadian experience, and that is not done from afar. I am just not comfortable with Ignatieff's absence from Canada for 30 years. Furthermore, he has been a politician for less than a year and has no leadership experience in politics. The Liberal Party needs an experienced Liberal Leader, not an academic celebrity.
  5. Filipe Almeida from Viseu, writes: I'm very impressed. Truly outstanding. In the past I've been quick to criticise Ignatieff for his views on foreign policy, on the basis that while Canadians share his love for human rights and democracy, they don't necessarily feel they should be paying the bill for the world's problems. He says that he wants Canada to have a more interventionist foreign policy, but that <> and that he respects Chretien's decision on Iraq. Sounds good to me. Let's keep in mind that south of the border many of those who are being unjustly labelled as soft on terror, like Hillary Clinton, voted favourably on invading Iraq. So the phenomenon of flip-flopping on Iraq isn't exactly uncommon. Bottom line: I'm very pleased with Ignatieff's views, but I still have 2nd thoughts on his foreign policy.
  6. Peso Liviano from Toronto, Canada writes: Something has been bothering me about Ignatieff, particularly what he's been saying about the environment. David Suzuki's web-exclusive comment http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060929.wcomment0929/BNStory/National/home has made it clear to me what the problem with Ignatieff is. While I believe that Ignatieff is concerned about the environment, he doesn't plan on achieving any serious goals until 2050. As Suzuki points out: 'Timelines that do not set any targets until 2020 or beyond are practically useless.' Suzuki goes on to say 'Canadians have had enough of feel-good spin, vague programs with no clear targets or timelines, voluntary measures and bureaucratic bafflegab.' That sums up what I get from Ignatieff's policies. All talk, no real action plan.
  7. R Harris from Canada writes: Hey Jack (aka Iggy's campaign manager) Ryan - is it just me or did he say he remains committed to Kyoto yet admits he cannot make the targets? How is that being committed - I will honor this agreement, I just will not comply with it. Similar thought for Quebec as a 'nation'. No change in powers, no change at all except to placate them by giving them the name 'nation'. I thought maybe he was a different Liberal - but this seems like more of the same - smooth sounding, feels good, does nothing. Hey Preston Jr - talk about someone with bitterness and hate - look in a mirror buddy
  8. Ruth LaMantia from Canada writes: Your idea of a Sustainable Development Act needs to be expounded upon. Will such an act be founded on an ultimate principle which puts the Earth first? And in adopting an Earth First principle, base all economic, social, global, and other vital concerns secondary to the welfare of the planet?
  9. Sticks and Stones ... from Canada writes: I am also very impressed. I have to say I felt 'inspired' after reading Ignatieff's comments and hopeful that we could advance forward under his leadership on a truly-defined Canadian path rooted in our history, values and traditions. I think he could inspire a majority of Canadians to believe in ourselves and the good we can accomplish together.
  10. Don Adams from Canada writes: Even though I'm presently a Conservative voter and supporter of Steven Harper, I read the interviews with all the Liberal candidates. While I feel there is no REAL LEADER at this point in time, I was impressed with Mr. Kennedy. The Liberal Party definitely needs a new, strong leader, and a new vision...... Iggy doesn't measure up, and Rae? A joke. I also like Martha Hall Findlay, but unfortunately, Canada just isn't ready for a woman PM, unless we can find another Maggie thatcher somewhere. I'm confident the Conservatives will still be in power after the next election, be it Majority or Minority, and this is for the best after the scandals and waste of the previous 13 years. That said, we do need a strong leader of the Opposition in order to provide some sort of checks and balances, and I think Kennedy is the best of the bunch to provide that. It will be an interesting convention.
  11. Chris Notsaying from Moncton, Canada writes: I would vote liberal if Iggy was running thinks, not Rae. My heart is with the green party but we need harper gone. Rae is NDP and will overspend.
  12. Carolyn Stobo from Toronto, Canada writes: It troubles me, when we see what is happening in so many other countries in the world, that candidates, the media and the public generally fail to pay urgent attention to the stark reality of the deprivation, poor living conditions, children immersed in addictions and early death, and the appalling loss of hope, all still prevalent in Native Canadian communities. With Mr. Ignatieff's substantial background in human rights issues, and concern for equal opportunity, perhaps finally progressive, caring Canadians can move this country's native communities forward into the 21st century. A complete and worthy plan must squarely face the issue whether providing assistance to natives for removal or relocation from isolated, unserviced communities, with dangerous water, sewage, education and health services, and no future but worsening alienation and illness for the children, is now an urgent necessity. If training and skilled technical and health professionals, educational facilities and other services are impossible to maintain in isolated areas, and the result is neglect, physical and mental illness, and loss of the will to live, then it is now time to work through a comprehensive agreement. Natives need our respect for their basic rights. Immigrants are permitted to relocate to Canadian communities from foreign countries, with substantial programs and assistance for that purpose. And so, we cannot continue as critics of foreign ruling regimes' treatment of one ethnic group or another, or respond to one disaster or another by providing much needed assistance, but fail to look out our own back door to Canada's First People. It is an unforgiveable national disgrace for all of us. I believe that, with Mr. Ignatieff as Leader, a renewed Liberal Party will look out Canada's own back door. We have come full circle on Native Canadians and must face the reality of what has occurred over the centuries. This is not about politics or power. It is about ensuring survival.

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