Why I'm Running for Party President

Canada is a liberal society, shaped by the values of successive, successful Liberal governments. We are the party of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Medicare, the Canada Pension Plan and the Canadian flag. We have built a country that is the envy of the world, guided not by our own sense of what's right but rather by what Canadians have demanded of our country.

For too long, however, we have allowed ourselves to embrace the triumphs of the past while forgetting to remain connected with Canadians. In turn, Canadians have told us very clearly to rebuild, renew and revitalize. We would be wise to heed their advice. It's time for all good Liberals to roll up their sleeves and get to work rebuilding this Party - from the ground up.

Indeed, it's why I have put my name forward for LPC Party President: I believe it's simply not enough to carp from the sidelines; it's time to transform the Liberal Party of Canada in to a Big Red Machine capable of running over the Tories and flattening the Dippers' Orange Crush.

I believe we must fundamentally change our approach from a top-down command and control organization to a grassroots movement where local riding associations and members are our most important asset.

I believe the party needs to go back to basics while at the same time moving in bold, innovative and new directions. These may sound like contradictory goals but they are not. We need to work harder and smarter. We need to streamline our organizational structures with a single-minded focus on democracy, morale, memberships and resources.

As LPC President I would be guided by the following four key planks:

Make democracy & morale-building a fundamental tenet of the Liberal Party of Canada. We have to engage Canadians - not only during a 35-day writ period - but in the intervening years between elections too.

Revitalize membership by engaging community organizations & networks across the country by demonstrating we share their values. The Liberal Party must be welcoming to all members, not just a narrow few.

Rebuild our fundraising infrastructure - primary funding must come from all members and Canadians who see the Liberal Party defending their values, as well as sustained Victory Fund & Laurier Club drives.

Build the Liberal Party of Canada into a grassroots movement that people want to support -- and we can only do that by engaging the strengths of every Liberal from every region of this great country and by putting aside old grudges that have helped derail our Party.

In addition to these campaign planks, I also believe that:

The Liberal Party must be a leader in using every available modern political tool. For example, a ‘Liblist’ should not just be used during elections - it must be used between elections too. Skype, Twitter, Facebook and other emerging social media must be better employed to connect every riding in our country.

Riding associations and shadow caucus members must have the "plug and play" tools to help them stay connected in the community between elections. There should not be any riding association that feels disengaged or overlooked in the Liberal Party of Canada.

All riding associations should have direct access to the Liberal Party of Canada's HQ which may require that we rethink the existing structure of the party.

A Liberal is a Liberal is a Liberal - regardless of whether they are left-of-centre, right of centre, Blue Grits or Pink Grits. Whether they are lifetime Liberals or new members, every voice is equal and worthy to be heard. Party unity is crucial to our longer-term success.

We must rebuild the Liberal Party by leveraging the deep roots of our existing membership, while embracing the innovative ideas of returning or new members.

We must harness the energy of young Canadians in new and innovative ways as a means to ensuring our future success and vitality.

We must win back the trust of Canadians, not only in urban centres, but in rural and regional communities, in Quebec and in the West. We must be truly national again. We must recognize that there is no single approach for every riding in every region. Grassroots democracy is never top-down.

As an undefeated federal MP for 20 years, I fundamentally believe that politics should NEVER be about winning at all costs. It should ALWAYS be about having a sound moral compass and EARNING the respect of all Canadians by doing what's right. A lifetime of experience has taught me that their vote will always follow.

I hope you will join me in the journey of rebuilding our party by choosing to become a delegate at our national convention in Ottawa: January 13 to 15. Canada, the Liberal Party, and I, need you now more than ever.

I know that we need each other to get the job done, so I ask for your support to help move this Party and this country forward.

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