Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff Speaks Policy
January 17th, 2009 at 11:52 am - by Kit Sauder
At a recent Liberal event in Vancouver, Michael Ignatieff spoke to a cramped gathering of over 100 in a small restaurant in Gastown about the importance of giving back to the nation. That Canada deserved our investment, political, economically and emotionally. This was the last stop in a three leg tour across the country stopping in the Maritimes, Ontario and B.C. After his address to the gathering Mr. Ignatieff took questions from the gathering. He covered several topics:
The Northwest Passage: When asked about the American and EU statements that The Northwest Passage is an International Strait of Passage, Ignatieff responded with the statement that “The Northwest Passage is a part of Canada’s sovereign territory” and that he would if necessary, “remind Mr. Obama that Canada is the single largest oil exporter to America,” if the matter was pressed.
The Gaza Conflict: His opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Mr. Ignatieff said that he could, “in no way deny the right of a sovereign state to defend itself” but at the same time he recognized the, “suffering of the Palestinian people,” and that a, “two-state solution” was necessary.
The Carbon Tax: Mr. Ignatieff acknowledged the fact that the “Green Shift was an experiment which failed,” and that he believed that the concept was strong but that, “Every person who runs a tractor or a boat or drives a truck just sees it as another expense,” which would have to be addressed if another carbon tax was to be pursued. Mr. Ignatieff stood out in his leadership campaign in 2006 due to the fact that he proposed a carbon neutral taxation system.
Legalization of Marijuana: Michelle Rainey of the British Columbia Marijuana Party asked Mr. Ignatieff on how he would act on the legalization of medicinal and recreational marijuana use. Mr. Ignatieff commented that the event was not the place to be making a policy statement and that it may be an issue debated at the upcoming Convention in Vancouver May 2009.
The CPP: The CPP was also addressed, Mr. Ignatieff conceded that the social welfare system in Canada is in drastic need of an overhaul considering the Baby Boomers would soon be leaving the workforce - this would be the largest withdrawal of labour from the Canadian workforce in history, and the largest withdrawal of CPP funds. It is past time we found a resolution to this issue.
January 17, 2009 at 3:25 PM
“Ignatieff responded with the statement that “The Northwest Passage is a part of Canada’s sovereign territory” and that he would if necessary, “remind Mr. Obama that Canada is the single largest oil exporter to America,” if the matter was pressed.” — And the Americans are going to be scared of those words they will recognize our sovereignty and give us Alaska to boot! I hope Ignatieff’s strategies to deal with other issues go a bit further!
January 17, 2009 at 6:19 PM
He evaded the marijuana question. Why did he do that? Marijuana is an important topic. Many non-violent users are being taken from their families. So if you have a mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, friend, neighbor, or other person you care for that uses marijuana ask yourself if they are the type of person who needs to be locked up.
January 18, 2009 at 5:25 AM
Iggy dodged the pot question because the liberal party supports the subsidization of organized crime through the prohibition of drugs. This policy gives them the opportunity to utilize the flood of unregulated cash floating around the criminal underworld.’
How else do you think they have been financing campaigns and such?
January 18, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Not only did he evade the Marijuana question Michelle posed, he went on to talk about the ‘drug problems’ just a few blocks away from the restaurant in Gastown, suggesting the ‘gateway’ theory. With 16.5 % of Canadians smoking Cannabis regularly it should be clear by now that Marijuana is NOT a gateway drug.
Mr. Ignatieff, if you want my vote get your Cannabis facts clear! I don’t want a dime of my tax dollars going to persecuting medical OR social users. This country clearly has more important issues than who’s getting high on what!
January 18, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Obama is also studiously ignoring the fact that Cannabis legalization is also the Number One issue Americans want to see changed.
Can a revolution be far behind if the “leaders” are in the pockets of religious fanatics and will never accede to the people’s will?