This is a critical time in the history of the Liberal Party of Canada.
As a candidate in this leadership race I believe we have a responsibility during this campaign to define where we stand; we must be clear in our convictions; and speak honestly to Liberals and to Canadians. They expect it from us. If ever there was a time for Liberals to be clear with Canadians, it is now.
As Liberals, we cannot wait until after the leadership race is over to find out what we signed up for.
And therein lies the difference between my friend, colleague and fellow candidate Justin Trudeau and myself.
Justin says now is not the time to tell Liberals, to tell Canadians, where he stands and what his plan is for the country. He says he will do that after the Liberal leadership race, sometime before the next election in 2015.
In my opinion, this is like asking Canadians to buy a new car without test-driving it first.
I cannot, nor should the Party accept this approach in choosing its new leader, there is simply too much at stake.
In the recent past, we put our faith as a party in one individual without asking the tough questions. The result was that we chose our leader through a coronation rather than a contest.
It was a mistake.
Without a message, without a clear vision of what we stood for, the Conservatives defined us and will define us once again.
I believe this to my very core. We have to know what we're voting for, not just who we're voting for.
That is why I have made it clear where I stand -- on the knowledge economy; trade; telecommunications; Western Canada and electoral reform.
Earlier this week I announced my position on post-secondary education and student loans.
And, I will continue to present my vision and positions, to be straight with Canadians on where I stand and where I want to lead.
But this is not the case with Justin. He has told Canadians that we need a "bold" plan and a "clear vision" without defining either.
On Justin's two clear priorities, the middle class and youth engagement, he has said nothing.
To be credible as a Party, we must go beyond generalities. We have to actually say what we intend to do. I have been doing that and Canadians can go after me if they want on any position I have taken, but at least they know where I stand.
There is little value in saying we care about the crunch facing middle class families if we don't say what we will do to help them.
I'm sure all nine leadership candidates support the middle-class and our youth, but leadership is only demonstrated when we make choices, when we decide what it is we will do to bring about change.
Now is the time for the party to hear different approaches in order to decide who is best able to lead the party.
My vision is to build a strong, diversified knowledge-based economy, an economy that will enable us to create jobs for middle-income families, to find more jobs for our youth, and an economy that will provide all Canadians with the opportunity to succeed. And I have proposed a plan to achieve it.
I am the first to recognize that Justin has given a tremendous amount of energy to the Liberal Party and to Canadians. He is drawing Canadians to the Party. The Liberal Party is richer for having him.
But before we can present ourselves to Canadians once again, we must debate the issues vigorously amongst ourselves. Each candidate must present their vision and the plan to get us there, and in that process, we will also discover who is best to lead us.
Follow Marc Garneau on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MarcGarneau
He won't, he is too smart and it is the right strategy to not talk in detail about his plans before a National election and before you know what you are going to inherit from one of the most secretive Governments we have seen in a long time. You need to have a better strategic plan because the one you have will only harm you in an election.
I find Mr. Garneau's comments somewhat comical ... seems to me that Stevie Harper expounded his thoughts and convictions (about all of the wonderful things he was going to do for us - in point of fact, I seem to recall Stevie saying, among so many other things, that he would not accept his pension) prior to becoming Prime Minister ... and where exactly did that get us? The point is that the political landscape, and economy is a dynamic circumstance and cementing yourself into a specific philosophy (or economic theory) could be setting yourself up for monumental failure (ie Stevie).
try something new. One might be surprised.
Clearly, experience has not done much to move
forward what is best for Canadians. It is the same
way of governance amongst those with so-called
experience which has accomplished nothing.
People need to open their and begin thinking outside
the box, if we have any hope for change.
Trudeau has a vision and a real passion for his country
and a young mind is what our country needs.
...A new kid on the hill.!
Sure, but so what, it looks like a Lamborghini.
Trudeau is going to drive the Conservatives crazy by not giving them anything meaty to attack. Politics is a dull background noise for most people unless something really big is happening. Trudeau can wait until the election is announced before laying his platform out for Canadians.
Until then all Trudeau has to do is keep his image clean. He made all his personal financial information public. That will go a long way with the public. The image of nice guy Trudeau giving bully Brazeau a beat-down is priceless. There are tons of shots with Trudeau looking mildly amused and relaxed in normal boxing shorts. Brazeau is wearing his bandana and skin tight tiny black shorts while glaring at Trudeau and flexing his muscles. Then Trudeau gave him a beat-down and a hair-cut. Those pictures will be all over the place during the election. Media will say things like "Trudeau in the fight of his life" then use that as an excuse to throw in a boxing picture. It already started.
All Trudeau has to do is not look as slimy as The Harper Government and sound more reasonable than Mulcair.
This brings us to the present situation. I get the impression, perhaps wrong impression, that Justin doesn't know what he's doing, that he's way over his head, and that he is completely lacking in depth of understanding. I also get the impression that he wants to take Canada in a direction which many of us might strongly object to. His silence suggests he's trying to sneak one by us, trying to pull the wool over our eyes, trying to worm his way into the highest office of the land.
For all we know, Marc Garneau or Martha Hall Findley might be the best candidates for prime minister. But for them, silence is a self destructive option. If they passionately love this country, enough to get tough when they need to, then now's the time to stop Trudeau cold in his tracks and demand to see his I.D. Otherwise we just might put an unqualified youngster behind the wheel of a magnificent machine.
Why in heaven's name would people who support their country want to put a leader in place who will not or cannot articulate their plans.
If it is all about the winning, why would I vote for the Liberals is another way I look at this. The strongest person for the job of the Canadian PM is who they should be rallying around.
But, we'll see, won't we?
We have seen Brian M, Steven H. Elsewhere, the Bushes, Blair, Howard, Musharrafuddin. Ahamadwhta'shisname, Putin, Wen, the Kims, Maggie T, Ronnie R, etc., etc.....
Don't forget the great freedom fighter, Mugabe!
Had it with Harper? Think Mulcair is muddled? Vote Justin Trudeau! Fiscally responsible! Socially progressive! Unless Trudeau does something monumentally stupid he's got this in the bag.
Now there is no reason for debate about what Canadians want. Just ask on modern media and take the opinion of the majority. Sober second thought could be a second ask of the same question.
Perhaps it is time for Canada to make that giant leap for mankind and become the first on line democracy where everyone's vote is truly valuable.