The Fight for Canada, a continuation of Ignatieff Leads in '06

A few thoughts:
I had published a TL that saw Michael Ignatieff win the Liberal Leadership in 2006. The format was exhausting for me, and it was a struggle for me to get its conclusion.

The initial timeline is here: Ignatieff Leads in '06!

However, I have had some long term and short-term inspiration in the formats presented by the following:

SLCer's A Bridge to the 21st Century
Canadian Tory's Redemption: A Political Comeback

I hope you will enjoy as I am very engerized to continue this TL!
 
December 2006

DECEMBER 2006:

National Post:

IGNATIEFF CAPTURES LIBERAL LEADERSHIP

Can he convince Canadians that the Liberals are ready to lead again?

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Newly elected Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff addresses the delegates at the convention after winning the leadership.​



Toronto Star:

IT’S TIME TO HEAL THE PARTY - IGGY

New leader names former rivals in key party positions

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Michael Ignatieff holds a press conference where he announced his so called ‘Team of Rivals’ two days after he captured the Liberal convention.​


Ottawa (CP) - Michael Ignatieff addressed the national media for the first time following his dramatic victory at the 2006 Liberal Leadership Convention. In a move that he says will heal the rifts of the party, he has named his former rivals for the leadership to key party posts, making the surprise move of naming Scott Brison his deputy leader.

“It’s time for all Liberals to rally around the party and tell Canadian’s we are ready to lead”, said the newly crowned Leader.

In addition to Brison’s appointment, Bob Rae and Ken Dryden were named the co-chairs of the Platform Development Committee. Stephane Dion is now his Quebec Lieutenant and Martha Hall Findlay is in charge of the Liberal Party Women’s Outreach Program.

Globe and Mail:

IGGY HEADS WEST

Tells Albertans, “It’s time to give us a chance”.


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Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff addresses the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce before the Christmas Break.

Edmonton (Post Media) – Michael Ignatieff made his first political speech as Liberal Leader, not in Central Canada, but in Alberta.

The speech is an attempt by the Liberal Party to capture some significant portion of the vote in Western Canada which has time and time again said no thanks to the Liberal Party.

“We are no longer the party of the NEP, it was a mistake to marginalize Alberta, it is a key part of our future economic success”, said Ignatieff to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

He continued, “no party can be serious about leading this country if its willing to count out any part of it. I will campaign here, we will campaign here, and we are campaigning to win”.

It remains to be seen whether this will be taken serious by Albertan voters who resoundingly votes with the federal Conservative Party.

National Post:
PM SURPRISES TROOPS FOR CHRISTMAS


Prime Minister and Defence Minister serve Christmas Dinner

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Prime Minister Harper greets Canadian Soldiers during their Christmas Dinner.

 
JANUARY 2007:


Toronto Star
THE IGGY BUMP
Post-Holiday Polls show Liberals leading Conservatives

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Michael Ignatieff speaking to constiuients at a New Years Day event.

Toronto (CP) – The Liberals have received a substantial bump for Ignatieff’s selection as Liberal Leader. Ipsos-Reid have released a poll that shows that if the election were held today, the Liberals would rebound from their 2006 defeat and be elected with a weak minority government.

The results are: 34% for the Liberals; 32% for the Conservatives; 18% for the NDP; 9% for the Bloc Quebecois; and 7% for the Green Party.

“This is likely a short-term gain on the part of the Liberals, Ignatieff is new to the political scene and is generating headlines”, said Peter Jones of Ipsos-Reid, “In time we can except the Liberals numbers to weaken over the course of this parliamentary session”.


National Post
PM STILL MOST TRUSTED LEADER
Ignatieff still trails Harper, Layton

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Prime Minister Harper addressing a Party event in Winnipeg.


Montreal Gazette
CONSERVATIVE FIRES FIRST SALVO
Ad questions Ignatieff's motives, patriotism

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A screen capture of the ad that was leaked last night on You Tube.

Ottawa – The federal Conservative Party released their first attack ad late last night that goes right for Michael Ignatieff who was elected as leader of Liberal Party of Canada in December.

The 30 second ad was uploaded to Youtube and the narrarator asks “Why did he leave?” and shows clips of Ignatieff where he speaks as if he is an American.

A Conservative spokesman when reached commented, “He’s just visiting, being away for three decade, he is back because he wants to be Prime Minister. Canadians won’t stand for an imported Prime Minister”.
Toronto Star
IGNATIEFF STANDS UP TO CONSERVATIVES
Liberal Leader questions Conservative Party values.
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Liberal Leader Ignatieff motions during a speech outside of parliament yesterday.

Ottawa – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff lambasted the attack ad launched by the Conservative Party two days ago.

“Canadian’s deserve better than this. We deserve a political culture that asks its politicians to debate the facts – not decisive attack ads.”, Ignatieff said

The attack ad challenged why Ignatieff returned to Canada and suggest that he will leave Canada after he is done with politics.

Ignatieff passionatly stated to supporters outside of Parliament, “I came back to help the country of my birth, the country my family chose two generations ago to give their children and grandchildren. Would you question Wayne Gretzky’s patriotism? How about Michael J Fox? Or Neil Young? Hundreds of thousands of Canadians choose to live and work outside of this country? Are they they any less Canadian? This is Canada, the country that I love? Shame on Stephen Harper and his negative ad peddlers. I don’t buy it, and I trust that Canadian’s won’t buy it either”.

 
I'll be subscribing to this. On the other hand, what kind of foreign affairs would we see under Ignatieff?

Well in the OTL both Ignatieff and Brison voted for the extension of afghan mission.

We'll see Ignatieff maintain his OTL viewpoints - getting the rest of the party behind him will be an issue.
 
I'm reading, and enjoying it, but a nitpick: you keep using the grocer's apostrophe in "Canadians".
 
February 2007

Toronto Star

Conservative lose Kyoto Motion
Non-binding motion passes the House 161-115

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Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff rising to vote for the motion yesterday.​

Ottawa (CP) – The opposition parties came together yesterday to pass a motion that reaffirms the Canada’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.

“JFK once said, ‘our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.” Said Michael Ignatieff.

He continued, “The world needs Canada’s leadership on this issue. Canadian’s know this”.


Hamilton Spectator

TURNER CROSSES FLOOR; JOINS LIBERALS
Turner now Opposition Critic of National Revenue

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Former Conservative, now Liberal MP Garth Turner rises to ask his first question as a member of the opposition.

Ottawa – Maverick MP, Garth Turner who was booted from the federal Conservative Party last autumn has announced that he will sit now sit as a Liberal.
“The Prime Minister has a dangerous hold over his MPs – they no longer represent the people who sent them to Ottawa; but the ideology of Stephen Harper and the Reform elements of the Conservative Party”, said Turner in an exclusive interview.

Turner’s crossing keeps the Liberal standings in the house the same, as Wajid Kahn crossed the floor after being told he could no longer advise the Prime Minister by Michael Ignatieff.

“I didn’t leave the Conservative Party, the Conservative Party left me. Gone are the traditions of the great Progressive Conservative movement that stood for fiscial responsibility and the belief that government has a role in improving the lives of all Canadians. Instead it has been replaced with a venomous social conservative agenda.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was joyous to have Turner join the party.

“We are a big tent party, and we have room for a wide and varied group of political beliefs.”


Ottawa Sun

LAYTON SLAMS TOXIC POLITICAL CULTURE

Hits both Harper and Ignatieff for distorting facts and personal attacks


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NDP Leader Jack Layton in a rare interview with Sun Media

Ottawa – Jack Layton is clamouring to be heard amongst the constant fighting between the governing Conservatives and the opposition Liberals during this parliament.

“It’s brutally toxic in the house. Liberals attacking Conservatives. Bloc Quebecois attacking Conservatives, and Conservatives attacking everyone.”, said Layton.

He continued. “The only party suggesting real alternatives for working families are the New Democrats”


Globe and Mail

POLL: CONSERVATIVES AND LIBERALS TIED
Liberals lose ground; NDP makes gains – Nanos

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Toronto – The latest poll issued by Nanos Research shows that the the Liberals and Conservatives are now tied for first place. The Liberals have previous been shown to be ahead of the Conservatives since Michael Ignatieff took the Liberal Leadership.

“We’re not sure if this is the post-selection bump wearing off, or if the Conservative attack ad had an impact, regardless, the effect was not what everyone expected with the NDP gaining what the Liberal lost” said Nik Nanos.

If the election were held today, the Conservatives would have 32% of the vote as would the Liberals; the NDP would capture 20%; the Bloc Quebecois 9%; and the Greens 7%.
 
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Come on Jack! Obviously won't be in government (unless there's a coalition), but I'm fine with the Dippers just making some nice gains.
 
2007 Budget Special

2007 BUDGET SPECIAL


National Post

BUDGET 2007: TAX CUTS, SPENDING INCREASES

Jim Flaherty announces budget with eye on possible election


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Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivers the Budget to the House of Commons

Ottawa – Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced the Conservative’s second budget. The budget contains billions in tax cuts and new spending initiatives aim at being a potential platform for an election should the opposition parties, who hold a majority in the House of Commons choose not to support the measures.

The budget has over 5 billion dollars in tax cuts with the Finance Minister telling the house, “Canadians pay too much in taxes”.

In addition to these tax cuts, the budget has billions in new spending aimed at families, businesses, and the military.


The Telegram

“FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN’T CARE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR” – PREMIER

Danny Williams says Conservatives have betrayed Newfoundland and Labrador

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Premier Danny Williams speaks to the Press after watching the Budget Speech

St John’s – According the Premier Danny Williams, the Federal Government has forgotten has betrayed every citizen of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We have finally come into our own as a province with the Atlantic Accord, and now Stephen Harper and Jim Flaherty have gone back on that accord and left us high and dry.” Said the angry Williams.

“People here won’t stand for that, we believe that trust is earned, not given, and the Federal Government has not earned any bit of trust at all”.

The Atlantic Accord was signed by the previous Liberal government and was aimed at ensuring that Atlantic provinces were able to keep equalization payments while keeping resource revenues.



Globe and Mail

“BUDGET LACKS VISION” – IGNATIEFF

Won’t commit to Liberals supporting the budget



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Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff speaks to the press outside of the House of Commons following the budget speech.

Ottawa – Michael Ignatieff has slammed the recently released budget for lacking a vision for the country, but has refused to state so far whether or not the Liberals will support the budget or not.

“With a budget surplus, the government is in the enviable position of making investments that will ensure future progress and economic success for all parts of the country” said the Leader of the Opposition.

He continued, “Where is the meaningful investment in high speed rail in Central Canada? Where is the investment in ensuring that the West can sell their Oil to the rest of the country without going through America first?”

However when pressed by the media, Ignatieff refused to commit to supporting or voting against the budget saying, “the Liberal Caucus has to examine this document and see where we can possibly work with the government; or else we’ll have to consider other options”.




Toronto Star


“NO SUPPORT FOR WORKING CANADIAN’S” – LAYTON

Layton says NDP won’t support Budget; Slams Liberals for not opposing it.

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NDP Leader Jack Layton speaks to the national media following the Budget Speech.


Ottawa – The NDP will not be supporting the 2007 Budget according to NDP Leader Jack Layton.

“This budget doesn’t support Working Canadian’s, it’s about unneeded tax cuts for businesses and wealthy Canadians” said NDP Leader Jack Layton.

The NDP had called for sizable investments in social programs, paid for by keeping tax rates at current levels, and by taxing heavy polluters.

“We’re spending money on the War in Afghanistan, when we should be investing in ensuring at the Canadian Forces are used for peacekeeping duties only, this is Canada’s legacy to the world”, said the NDP Leader.

Many pundits did not expect the NDP to support this budget.
 
Hmm... What will happen... Harper seems to be getting a lot of bad PR... Oh, and great TL, more of those should be written.

Thanks!

However, Harper has continually gotten bad PR over his 6 years in office; however the Conservatives have managed to overcome it.

The question is how? I believe it comes down to good luck mostly. Dion was an ineffective Liberal leader; and OTL was so Ignatieff. The question remains, how would the Liberals have faired if Ignatieff was given the stronger party of 2006; versus the already brutally damaged Liberal party of 2008.

By the time Ignatieff had "found his voice" in 2011, it was too late, and the results were apparent in the decimation of the Liberal Party.

This TL hopefully will reasonably see what would have happened otherwise. I hope I get tons of input to help me move along with this TL.

I won't hide my bias - honestly, I am a Liberal through and through, but I am reasonable, and I hope everyone poses questions, gives criticism, so that I can move forward with crafting a reasonable and full timeline for us all to enjoy!
 
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