Stephane Dion continues to defend the controversial appointment of Joan Beatty as the Liberal candidate for the upcoming byelection in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River.
"With Joan Beatty we will be better equipped in Northern Saskatchewan - she has great experience," said Dion, addressing the media on Thursday afternoon. "I'm optimistic that in the end on March 17 we will have Joan Beatty for the north of Saskatchewan and for all of Canada."
Dion was in Prince Albert on Thursday, along with Beatty, to meet with community leaders and First Nations chiefs in preparation for the byelection next month.
"It has been an honour for me to meet with mayors, chiefs and grand chiefs," said Dion.
Earlier in the day, Dion and Beatty travelled to Sturgeon Lake in effort to energize and unite Liberal Party members, some of who have said they will not vote Liberal in the March 17 byelection if Beatty, a former NDP cabinet member, is on the ballot.
Dion has been criticized by some members of his party since hand-picking Beatty. John Dorion and David Orchard had been running for the candidacy when Dion stepped in and named Beatty as the official Liberal candidate in early January.
Dion said Orchard is a friend and wished that Orchard had been with him to show support for Beatty.
Marcel Head, chief of the Shoal Lake First Nation, has been leading the way among disgruntled Liberals and said many of the people he knows will not be voting Liberal.
"They might be voting, but not Liberal," said Head.
Beatty, however, said the focus should not be on the candidate, but on the issues.
"At the end of the day it's not about the candidate," said Beatty. "It is about solving the many problems in our communities."
Dion is convinced that appointing Beatty was the right move and that she will be accepted.
"I think she is welcome everywhere. When you have the opportunity to have such an exceptional individual willing to join your political family to help her community you don't miss that opportunity."
Dion sticks with his choice
Dion sticks with his choice
Stephane Dion continues to defend the controversial appointment of Joan Beatty as the Liberal candidate for the upcoming byelection in Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River.
"With Joan Beatty we will be better equipped in Northern Saskatchewan - she has great experience," said Dion, addressing the media on Thursday afternoon. "I'm optimistic that in the end on March 17 we will have Joan Beatty for the north of Saskatchewan and for all of Canada."
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Comments
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- Gord
- - November 19th, 2009 at 17:03:03
Joan Beatty is a hypocrite, if she says its not about the candidate then she should step down and let democracy take its course. She is a left wing NDP and we all know that NDP are not that concerned with democracy. I for one hope the local Libs show her and Dion just how they feel when election day comes around.
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- RICK
- - November 19th, 2009 at 08:56:37
IT SHOWS YOUR BELIEFS WHEN YOU BELEIVE IN NDP PLATFORM AND YOU GET A BETTER JOB OFFER AND YOU CAN SWITCH TO LIBERAL PLATFORM. THAT GOES FOR ALL OF THEM IT BS... DION COMES AND CRAMS IT DOWN YOUR THROTE AND SAY THIS IS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU I KNOW BETTER. USE YOUR VOTE AND SHOW THEM .WE KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR US AND I GUESS IT'S NOT LIBERAL FOR ME NOT THAT IT EVER WAS.
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- Deb
- - November 18th, 2009 at 21:58:00
funny, Beatty says she wants to help address the problems of Northern communities; when teh liberals helped create them, then are opposed to the accountability act or human rights act on reserve. and the kelowna accord? just delaying real change. politics as usual perpetuating the problems as usual. 1880s segregation meets 1960s social welfare; does anyone really think this has been a success?
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- Proud from P.A.
- - November 18th, 2009 at 20:00:22
We'll see when the by-election happens.
I wonder if Ms Beatty realised that when Doin swept her off her political feet, what he was doing was removing an NDP MLA and putting her in a no-win situation where she is not only hated by now the NDP but most of the northern liberals as well. And this man is looking for leadership of Canada? um, I don't think thats very reassuring.
I think there will be many great laughs when Beatty loses this by-election and has nothing to go back to. The NDP certainly won't have her back, the Libs don't want someone running again who lost so badly when she was 'personally' appointed.
Oh well...good thing the unemployment likes are short.
I feel sorry for her, as Ralphie G. certainly did his job well in getting her to leave a certian seat for a certain-to-lose seat. That reminds me, does Ralphie remind anyone else of 'Newman' on Seinfeld? Not just the looks, but the personality as well? -
- Roy
- - November 18th, 2009 at 17:34:19
Joan Beatty is a well respected lady and I kinda doubt she'll lose the election because she does have the education and experience and certainly shes not going on unemployment insurance. Shes more like Gary Merasty even though she decides to leave politics she'll be offered a executive position with a nice company.
She was the manager at Sasktel and worked in a variety of positions with CBC and best of all she speaks cree like me.
All I think is that Dion make the best choice because Joan has experience not only education but in the political areas.
We will have to wait and see as the people will speak for them selves on March.
