The leader of the Liberal Party has the authority to appoint candidates. Today, Stephane Dion appointed last place leadership candidate Martha Hall Findlay in the riding of Willowdale. Other leadership contestants Gerard Kennedy and Bob Rae have both decided to try to win the nomination battles in their chosen ridings. This is noble of both of them.
Is Dion, then, wrong in appointing Martha in Willowdale? Absolutely not. The leader has every right to appoint candidates, but he must choose to exercise that power fairly and judiciously. Martha getting the nod for a safe Liberal seat in a winnable riding is consistent with Dion's leadership campaign promise to up the number of women in the House.
Thumbs up to Dion for this appointment - but everyone will be able to judge the leader's use of this power to make sure that it is consistent and judicious.
Is Dion, then, wrong in appointing Martha in Willowdale? Absolutely not. The leader has every right to appoint candidates, but he must choose to exercise that power fairly and judiciously. Martha getting the nod for a safe Liberal seat in a winnable riding is consistent with Dion's leadership campaign promise to up the number of women in the House.
Thumbs up to Dion for this appointment - but everyone will be able to judge the leader's use of this power to make sure that it is consistent and judicious.
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