TORONTO-Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff marked the 94th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge as he wrapped up the second week of his campaign with the party faithful at a school named after former Liberal prime minister Lester B. Pearson.
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff praised former prime minister Lester Pearson at rally with supporters in Scarborough
He noted that Pearson was among the veterans who returned to Canada after the war.
He also said that Pearson later had a distinguished career, including leading minority governments and living abroad.
“He was regarded as a kind of an intellectual and he was out of the country for over 20 years,” Ignatieff said, jokingly alluding to Conservative ads that have attacked him for also living abroad.
He also praised Pearson for promoting peace in Middle East and earning a Nobel Prize.
“He was the man who helped to bring peace in the Middle East between Egypt and Israel and helped establish us – our people – as the great peacekeepers of the world,” said Ignatieff. “How far we have fallen since.”
He added that Conservative leader Stephen Harper has become the first prime minister to lose a bid for Canada to get a seat on the United Nations security council.
“So we’ve got to get back to where we belong,” said Ignatieff, “To the place of honour and pride that we’ve occupied on the world stage since Lester B. Pearson. That means we have to the people of peace. We have to be the people of justice. We have to stand up for human rights all around the world.”
He said a Liberal government would set up a new office to promote peace, order, good government and Canadian values overseas.
“But here’s the thing, you can’t promote democracy overseas, unless you practice it at home,” he said. “So we’re not going to shut down Parliament… And when MPs ask for documents we’re going to provide them. And when Canadians want the truth about what those prisons costs, we’re going to tell them.”
“This is about transparency, this is about truth, this is about respect. Above all, it’s about respect for the Canadian people.”
He also reiterated his message on the campaign trail that he believes the Conservatives are jeopardizing funding for access to universal healthcare because of other spending priorities.
He also highlighted Liberal campaign promises to cancel corporate tax cuts and introduce spending initiatives for families such as childcare and support for post-secondary tuition.
“I am a Mike Pearson Liberal and I hope you are too,” said Ignatieff.
Mdesouza@postmedia.com
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