Dion's Past Coming Back To Haunt Him

He is well know in Quebec and is not that popular with seperatists and in the rest of Canada if anyone does know him it is usually as that guy who had something to do with Kyoto. Time will tell.......

Quebec a hurdle for Dion: Charest
Dec. 5, 2006. 01:00 AM
PETER RAKOBOWCHUK
CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL—Premier Jean Charest and his sovereignist predecessor both say Stéphane Dion will have a tough job winning over Quebecers.

Charest told reporters yesterday Dion will have to be sensitive to the concerns of Quebec if the new federal Liberal leader wants to be prime minister.

"If he wants to form a government, he has to, in good part, gain the confidence of the people of Quebec," Charest said.

Charest pointed out that an election could come at any time considering the fact that there is a minority government.

"Mr. Dion will have choices to make," Charest said at a news conference where he announced a new $888 million strategy to boost research and development in the province during the next three years.

Dion, who entered the Liberal leadership convention in fourth place, staged a stunning come-from-behind win over Michael Ignatieff on Saturday.

Former Parti Québécois premier Bernard Landry said in an interview yesterday the choice of Dion as leader of the federal party "will bring many Quebecers to think more deeply about relations with Canada."

"Dion was the father of the Clarity Act which, in Quebec, is universally rejected, including by Jean Charest."

The Clarity Act set the ground rules for future sovereignty referendums.

Landry noted Dion has rejected recognition of Quebec as a nation for years. He said Dion only voted for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent motion acknowledging the Québécois are a nation within a united Canada because of "compulsory factors." Landry added he didn't think Dion would change his attitude now that he is the federal Liberal leader.