The 100% Solution

Canada has an alternative, someone who might possibly lift the Liberal Party of Canada out of its current doldrums. A condition which this party has worked hard to earn - representing the scorn of the Canadian public, and its distrust for a party so long accustomed to its ongoing predominance in the political ruling culture of the country that it let down its guard sufficiently to become irrelevant, uninspiring, incapable and dishonest.

Now, after a most intriguing leadership convention here is Stephane Dion, the new leader of the still-in-the-backwoods party, still tainted with corruption, still riven with the bitter spite of irreconcibly competing factions, yet stridently hopeful of swiftly regaining its place at the helm of government. There's a few problems there. They've a long way to go to encourage the voting public to believe that they've re-ordered their priorities, because they understand how they've failed.

Cheap talk, no action, general behaviour unbecoming trustworthy keepers of the public weal, an unspeakably arrogant administration have not endeared them to Canadians of late. And the wounds are still fresh. And look here, currently ensconced as the voter-selected governing party is the Conservatives. And their once-frightening leader, Stephen Harper. A man of great integrity, he is proving to be.

Canadians have discovered that there is a sense of humour behind that dour exterior. Better by far, they have also discovered that in this man resides a dedication to the well being of the country. This is a leader whose character has been revealed to be one of courage and determination, but better yet, this is a man of resolute honesty. The current prime minister has met problems head on, has made decisions which have resulted in the electorate taking a second look and, for heavens sake, liking what they see.

So yes, Stephane Dion has had ministerial experience in the former Liberal governing body. But like the Liberals in general his earnestness and credibility have been doubted. The very portfolio that he so ardently defends as leader of the opposition in Parliament was once his - and he did nothing at all with it. In the grand Liberal tradition of boast and blast hot air, then sit back and matters will simply resolve; the electorate has a short memory.

They don't, and they won't. Deliberate, intelligent, pragmatic action is required. Lacking under the Liberals, active under the current government. But this current government is still a government in waiting, and the voting public is still wary, patiently awaiting action on a number of vital problems. For the Liberals to continue pointing their accusatory fingers at the "right-wing", "pro-U.S." agenda of the governing party indicates a party still in disarray, still without a true solution or workable program.

How's this for a mind-bender: the new leader of the Liberal party, that staunch federalist whose stout stand in Quebec against the separatist-determination of the Parti Quebecois is so widely recognized, who boasts of a personal 100% dedication and loyalty to Canada, holds dual citizenship. Stephane is an unapologetic citizen of both Canada and France. That's very nice, very cosmopolitan, very urbane.

Not, however, very encouraging with respect to 100% loyalty to Canada. For if Stephane Dion has dual French/Canada citizenship, what does that say about his inner honesty? Does he feel it's quite all right to avail himself of the benefits of French citizenship without some modicum of loyalty to France? Canada has had disputes with France in the past and will no doubt encounter future disputes with that country. Where, exactly, does Mr. Dion stand?

One can understand that Mr. Dion has a sense of loyalty to his mother's emotional attachment to her country of birth. As well as his own, by extension, even if only for sentimental purposes. Does that mean he accepts all the rights and benefits of citizenship without the obligations inherent in same? Is it not morally incumbent on a politician who sees himself as a potential leader of this country to behave ethically in this matter?

After all, this county just underwent a casual but heated national debate over that very thing; dual citizenship. In the wake of the recriminations abounding during the emergency evacuation of thousands of Lebanese with dual citizenship in both countries, which cost Canadian taxpayers dearly, it is not very astute of Mr. Dion not to realize that his situation bears a startling resemblance to the outcry that resulted from that crisis.

Is it to be one code of behaviour sanctioned for our political and social elite, and another for the great unwashed? Surely, this is a matter requiring moral clarity.