Dion quits as Liberal leader; waiting for party to name successor

The leader of Canada's Liberal Party announced Monday that he would step down as soon as "my successor is duly chosen". The stunning change was expected. The Liberal executive and caucus had been seeking Dion's immediate resignation and he obliged after it was clear that there was no point to holding on until May 2, when he was scheduled to hand over power to the person elected at a leadership convention.

His move opens the door to coronate MP Michael Ignatieff who is seen as the best hope to take on Stephen Harper and the governing Conservative Party. He has strong support within the caucus. His strength grew Monday when Dominic LeBlanc, one of the two other leadership contenders, dropped out of the race and formally endorsed Ignatieff.

But the remaining candidate, former Ontario Premier Bob Rase, is not pleased with the manner in which the exercise is taking place. Rae feels it is unfair and undemocratic for the party to choose a leader without consulting with and involving the grassroots members. He is hoping for a compromise to settle the matter. Rae is suggesting that the party could use a telephone and online system to allow every member to vote on who should be leader. He told reporters Monday that it's possible to do it before Parliament returns on Jan. 26.

For his part Ignatieff has said the one-person-one-vote violates the party's constitution and he wants the 2009 "delegated convention" to continue as planned. Rae says he's a team player and would "live with whatever the party decides."

The urgency is finding Dion's replacement is because of the impending confidence vote following the national budget next month. Ignatieff wants to look at the budget before deciding whether to vote against it. If the Liberals vote against it the question that arises is whether the Liberal-NDP coalition formed last week could ask the Governor General to let them take over the government instead of holding an election just months after the October 14 vote that returned a Conservative minority. Harper would press for fresh elections and the final decision on that would be made by the GG.

But the Liberals want to be prepared. And for now it looks like they might hand that responsibility to Ignatieff, the former Harvard professor and author.

Here's the text of Dion's statement released to the media Monday:

After the election on October 14 I announced I would stay on as Leader of the Liberal Party until my party could select my successor. One of my goals was to ensure an effective opposition to
Stephen Harper's government. I believe that decision was the right one and I am proud of having forced Stephen Harper to back away from his attempt to force upon Canadians his most ideological and harmful plans in these tough economic times.

The alliance between the Liberal Party and the NDP to replace the Harper government, with the support of the Bloc Quebecois, is a solid basis to give Canada a government that reflects both the
aspirations of the majority of Canadians and the support of the majority of Members of Parliament. Such a government would be more stable than a minority Conservative government incapable of cooperating with opposition parties.

As the Governor General has granted a prorogation, it is a logical time for us Liberals to assess how we can best prepare our party to carry this fight forward.

There is a sense in the party, and certainly in the caucus, that given these new circumstances the new leader needs to be in place before the House resumes. I agree. I recommend this course to my party and caucus. As always, I want to do what is best for my country and my party, especially when Canadians' jobs and pensions are at risk.

So I have decided to step aside as Leader of the Liberal Party effective as soon as my successor is duly chosen. I will offer my unconditional and enthusiastic support to my successor in the same way I have always supported the leaders of our great party. I will work under the next leader's direction with all my energy in order to give Canada a better government.

I wish to close by making it absolutely clear that my earlier departure does not change the facts of the situation that the Prime Minister has created in the last two weeks. The Prime Minister and his government refused to lay out a plan to stimulate the economy. The Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the House of Commons. The Prime Minister shut down Parliament to save his while thousands of Canadians are losing theirs. The Prime Minister has poisoned the well of trust and respect that is necessary for a minority government to work in Parliament - especially in a time of crisis.

Mr. Harper took an economic crisis and added a parliamentary crisis that he then tried to transform into a national unity crisis: this is no way for a Prime Minister of Canada to act.

It is my hope the decision I have announced today will enhance the capacity of Parliament to function effectively for the sake of Canadians in this economic crisis.

Stephane Dion, PC, MP