I'm a little confused over the dismissal of Stephan Dion. I realize Trudeau can throw him out of cabinet, maybe even (?) from the party, but surely he could not remove Dion's staus as an elected MP? So is this the situation: Losing his cabinet post and probably his party influence/reputation, he himself decided to quit parliament and was offered the diplomatic post as a "palliative"? (Maybe not in that order :))
Dion dismissal
Tue, 2017-01-10 19:26
#1
Edzell
Dion dismissal
Tue, 2017-01-10 19:48
#2
I'm a little confused over the dismissal of Stephan Dion. I realize Trudeau can throw him out of cabinet, maybe even (?) from the party, but surely he could not remove Dion's staus as an elected MP? So is this the situation: Losing his cabinet post and probably his party influence/reputation, he himself decided to quit parliament and was offered the diplomatic post as a "palliative"? (Maybe not in that order :))
He was offered the post -- his choice to leave politics but there clearly is nothing in politics for him.
Now he also said he did not see his removal as foreign minister coming. That might explain why he was removed. It was rumoured around the city and written about extensively -- how could he not see it coming?
Tue, 2017-01-10 19:51
#3
montrealer58
Word is he is mulling over his options now.
Tue, 2017-01-10 19:52
#4
Basically. It's pretty hard to imagine on what grounds Trudeau would kick him out of the party, but he can certainly take away any portfolio, and he certainly cannot remove his MP status.
Maybe Dion's just had enough. Maybe it was even his idea.
Tue, 2017-01-10 20:04
#5
Edzell
Basically. It's pretty hard to imagine on what grounds Trudeau would kick him out of the party, but he can certainly take away any portfolio, and he certainly cannot remove his MP status.Maybe Dion's just had enough. Maybe it was even his idea.
Maybe. Perhaps out of place among people who didn't really understand him? I know he was said by some to be very intelligent/clever, but to me he never inspired confidence, even making allowance for his (to me) poor communication skills. Somehow managed to seem vague and a bit arrogant at the same time.
Tue, 2017-01-10 20:08
#6
Or maybe his successor put the knife in his back?
Tue, 2017-01-10 20:08
#7
It sounds like he is upset that he has been demoted and is leaving politics. He does not want to be a backbencher.
He was plucked to be put in cabinet and he never ever expected to be a backbencher.
There is no indication that Trudeau is trying to kick him from the party or caucus -- just that he is upset not being in cabinet.
Trudeau clearly did not want to give him a top cabinet position -- and thought that this diplomatic role better than a low cabinet position -- and he is probably right as that would have looked worse.
The double standard with language (which has been a problem for him) is possibly a source of bitterness as well.
Tue, 2017-01-10 20:10
#8
Basically. It's pretty hard to imagine on what grounds Trudeau would kick him out of the party, but he can certainly take away any portfolio, and he certainly cannot remove his MP status.Maybe Dion's just had enough. Maybe it was even his idea.
Maybe. Perhaps out of place among people who didn't really understand him? I know he was said by some to be very intelligent/clever, but to me he never inspired confidence, even making allowance for his (to me) poor communication skills. Somehow managed to seem vague and a bit arrogant at the same time.
I always found him aloof and awkward more than arrogant but I can see why there is this impression.
I don't like his party but I do have some sympathy for him as an individual and at moments found him likeable. When he first became leader my biggest problem with him was his party....
Tue, 2017-01-10 20:38
#9
Edzell
Too late to edit my earlier posts but apologies and a correction for my misspelling of Stéphane Dion's first name. I don't like to do that.
Tue, 2017-01-10 21:14
#10
Makes no sense to me, unless Trudeau found him too independent. Dion is one of the most capable MPs in Ottawa.
Wed, 2017-01-11 08:23
#11
http://ipolitics.ca/2016/09/26/dion-isnt-contradicting-trudeau-on-china-...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/stephane-dion-defends-thumb...
Plus that Dion didn't do Trudeau any favours when he started and had to compete for the nomination in Papineau, so why should this be anything but just business?
Wed, 2017-01-11 08:32
#12
According to Rae, it would have been a challenge for Dion to stay on as foreign affairs minister with Donald Trump's administration on the way in the United States.
Rae said Tuesday it would have been difficult for Dion to stay on as foreign affairs minister with the incoming administration of Donald Trump in the U.S.
"Given Mr. Dion's own style and his own commitments on climate change and everything else, I think just the chemistry would have been difficult for him with the former president of Imperial Oil as the secretary of state in the United States," Rae told CBC News.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/st%C3%A9phane-dion-profile-1.3930011
Wed, 2017-01-11 13:06
#13
All the best to Dion. I believe he was utterly sincere (and effective) on environmental issues, and deserves some credit for that.
I will forever remember his nostril hairs, from that ridiculous video aired on CBC way back when it seemed like there might be a chance for Dion to be PM with Layton as "vice" PM. They were 10 minutes late airing the video, and when they finally gave it to CBC, it appeared to be shot with a webcam sitting on a desk, in a very unflattering angle looking up Dion's nose. I think that sank the NDP-Liberal coalition better than anything Harper did.
Go forth, gentle knight, and enjoy your rest. And trim those nose hairs!
Wed, 2017-01-11 16:12
#14
All the best to Dion. I believe he was utterly sincere (and effective) on environmental issues, and deserves some credit for that.
I would agree, that was my impression as well.It is likely the reason he is being eased out. Trudeau and his Cabinet are probably tired of hearing about it and just want to get on with ruling for the business elite.
Wed, 2017-01-11 19:04
#15
Dion has been very inept in his performance as Foreign Affairs Minister.
Chantal Hébert picked him last year as her choice for worst cabinet minister.
Wed, 2017-01-11 19:38
#16
Perhaps he took the first exit so that he could finally marry Elizabeth May without any conflict of interest concerns.
Wed, 2017-01-11 20:44
#17
Dion has been very inept in his performance as Foreign Affairs Minister.
Chantal Hébert picked him last year as her choice for worst cabinet minister.
This first year has been hard on some Liberals. Trying to rationalize things like our arms sales to Saudi Arabia after running from the left was an act he just wasn't up to. They now have a good NATO warrior in the portfolio who has no problem with giving the approved speel. She is a true believer while Dion was merely a fellow traveler.
Thu, 2017-01-12 04:55
#18
Dion's parting words: "I wish Chrystia the best of luck..."
Thu, 2017-01-12 13:01
#19
Always liked him well enough. I think his main problem was that he just wasn't a politician. I mean this as a compliment. Politics was not kind to him, and I doubt he'll miss it. He can get any job he likes back in academia, where I'm sure he'll be much happier.
Fri, 2017-01-13 10:43
#20
In September 2006, Jack Layton z"l famously said of Dion: "A man of principle and conviction and therefore almost certain not to be elected leader of the Liberal party."