Dion is On

How does one prepare parliamentary diatribes while spending the weekend sweating and speeching for votes? I have no idea, but somehow Dion has done his homework, and today he began his role as the new leader of the Liberals with exciting and important criticisms. Ignatieff also stepped up with excellent follow-up questions regarding the cuts to Status of Women.

As reported by the G & M:

“When the government is posting a multi-million-dollar budget surplus, thanks to the previous Liberal government, why has the prime minister closed 12 of the 16 Status of Women offices across Canada, if it is not to cripple those who dare challenge his government's neo-conservative ideology?” Dion said.

Mr. Harper responded by assuring the House that the funding cuts would be redirected and reallocated “to make it more effective for ordinary people, not to flow it into party coffers.”

Mr. Ignatieff picked up the baton, asking the government to detail the specific programs and commitments that would gain from the reallocation of funds. Minister for the Status of Women Bev Oda said $5-million would be made available to community organizations across the nation.

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Maybe the Liberals could also ask Harper why he has refused to introduce equal pay legislation?