Liberal Leadership Candidates build on Martin's Aboriginal legacy with impressive policies... though where is Kennedy?

The frontrunners (and my guy Scott Brison) have all come out with significant and comprehensive Aboriginal policies. Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin has established a great deal of respect and honour amongst Aboriginal communities for the excellent work he did in terms of rebuilding and solidifying Aboriginal relations in this country. Liberal leadership candidates realize that Aboriginal people represent a huge opportunity in this country, we do have our fair-share of problems, but we also have a great deal to offer this country, as we have in the past.

Though for your reading pleasure, please take a few moments to read the candidate's Aboriginal platforms.

Scott Brison - Equal Opportunity, Dignity and Quality of Life
“An Aboriginal Prosperity Agenda”
http://www.scottbrison.ca/news-releases-details_e.php?pid=82&year=2006

Stephane Dion - From Principles to Action: Stéphane Dion's Plan to Tap into the Full Potential of Aboriginal Peoples
http://stephanedion.ca/files/stephanedion.ca/aboriginals_EN.pdf

Michael Ignatieff - A Renewed Relationship with Aboriginal Canadians:Recognition, Respect and Reconciliation
http://www.michaelignatieff.ca/docs/aboriginal/aboriginal_policy.pdf

Bob Rae - Bob Rae Outlines Policy on First Nations, Inuit and Métis
http://www.bobrae.ca/en/pressreleases.php#30

Gerard Kennedy - ABORIGINAL POLICY FRAMEWORK
http://www.gerardkennedy.ca/news_e.aspx?id=146

Scott Brison - A REAL LIBERAL!!!

As most know, I supported Scott Brison for leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. I did so for a number of reasons I have explained in previous posts. Scott is a true progressive leader who understands the importance of the economy and protecting the environment.

Throughout his campaign, Scott criss-crossed Canada attending a variety of community and Liberal events promoting his message and ideas. Scott visited and met with many Liberals who were very pleased with his balanced approach to politics. Scott also led the candidates in developing long-term thinking policy ideas. I was very pleased to participate in this process and help to develop his Aboriginal policy.

As super-weekend passed, it was clear to me that Scott got great support from across Canada, but it wasn't enough for him to win the leadership. Although Scott offered great policy ideas, is seasoned political operative and has the public persona to be a leader, the party or media did not seem to focus on these attributes. It has more to do with personality and who could win the election. I still support Scott and beleive that he would in fact be a great leader to challenge Stephen Harper's narrow vision of Canada.

Scott and his team will go to the convention and put forward their ideas for rebuilding our party and strenthening our nation. He will also be an important player in electing the next leader of the Liberal party.

I beleive that the next leader will see these great qualities in Scott and that he will be an important Atlantic Canadian Liberal organizer and if we get back into government, he will be an even more important Cabinet Minister. Scott would make an excellent Finance or Industry minister as well. Scott also will continue to speak up for social justice and diversity in our country, he is an opinion leader amongst our young and talented.

Mr. Brison has done himself proud and I am proud to have been part of his team. Brison is still very young in political life and has a bright and happy future ahead of him.

As for myself, I will continue to support Scott and his policies. Though as an Aboriginal leader in the party, I will look to other leadership candidates to be just as strong and visionary as Scott is on the future of our indigenous people in this country and in our party...