Andy Scott to Support Bob Rae
Montreal (December 1, 2006) - Bob Rae welcomed the support of former Liberal Cabinet Minister Andy Scott who said Rae is the clear choice to lead the Liberal Party of Canada in the next election.

"I'm supporting Bob because I think he has the vision and the experience to fight the Conservative Party of Stephen Harper and focus on issues of importance to Canadians," said Mr. Scott. "His work on post-secondary education and his accomplishments and working relationship with Aboriginal communities demonstrate that he has the experience and also the vision necessary to deliver on fundamental priorities for Canada."

Bob Rae welcomed the endorsement, saying: "Andy and I care deeply about the core values that guide the Liberal vision. It is about shared opportunity and ensuring that the federal government is a partner to communities and provinces in every region. Andy is also a tireless representative for his constituents and his province and I am pleased to have his support."

Mr. Scott is a veteran MP, representing the riding of Fredericton, New Brunswick since 1993. As a cabinet minister he most recently served as Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Andy Scott was elected to his fifth consecutive term as Member of Parliament for the Riding of Fredericton on January 26, 2006.

Mr. Scott is the Critic for Infrastructure and Communities. During the last session of Parliament, he served as Minister for Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non Status Indians while retaining the position of Regional Minister for New Brunswick.

Mr. Scott previously served as Minister for Infrastructure Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada Lands Company and three other Crown corporations along with being Solicitor General.

Bill Matthews to Support Bob Rae
Montreal – November 29, 2006 - The Bob Rae Campaign today announced the support of Bill Matthews, Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St.George’s (Newfoundland and Labrador) for Bob’s campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I am pleased to announce my support for Bob Rae for leader of our party,” said Mr. Matthews. “Simply put, I think he is the best candidate to defeat Mr. Harper. In addition, he has experience at both levels of government, something that is critical to having a good understanding of how federal and provincial governments can work together.”

“As we go to Montreal for the convention, Bill’s support is a boost to my campaign,” said Mr. Rae. “Bill and I share a concern that federal-provincial partnership is harmonious and constructive so that people in every region and province share in the opportunity and aspirations that make Canada strong. I am particularly pleased with the strong support for my campaign in Newfoundland and Labrador and Bill’s endorsement is more important support from a political leader with a long career in the both levels of government.”

Bill Matthews was first elected Member of Parliament for Burin-St.George's in 1997. He was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006 as the Member of Parliament for the newly created riding of Random-Burin-St. George's. He is the Critic for Fisheries and Oceans. Mr. Matthews has served as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Fisheries & Oceans.

He was first elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador Legislature in 1982 as the representative for the Grand Bank District. He was re-elected in 1985 and appointed Minister of Culture, Recreation and Youth. In 1988, Mr. Matthews was appointed Minister of Career Development & Advanced Studies.

In 1989, Mr. Matthews was re-elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador Legislature and was appointed Finance Critic. From 1990 to 1995, he served as Fisheries Critic, and in 1991 was appointed as Opposition House Leader. In 1993, Mr. Matthews was again elected to the Legislature. Mr. Matthews attended Memorial University and earned a B.P.E., B.Ed.

Senator Jack Austin, P.C., Q.C. Announces Support for Bob Rae as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Ottawa - SENATOR JACK AUSTIN (Liberal, British Columbia) announced today that as a voting delegate at the 2006 National Liberal Party convention, he would put his support behind Bob Rae for leadership of the Liberal Party. Senator Austin said that he had carefully viewed the candidates and the issues so as to best understand who would provide the most effective leadership for both the Liberal Party and Canada in the next years.

"The eight Liberal candidates for leadership are a first rate team", said Senator Austin who also added he would support to the full whoever was selected to be leader of the Liberal Party. However, with Harper taking Canada on such an uncompromising right wing turn toward fundamentalist conservative policies, Senator Austin concluded that Bob Rae could best present the Liberal values in leadership and compassion to the Canadian electorate. "Bob Rae has seen a lot of political blood in his past and has the measure of the times", said Senator Austin.

"I have known and admired Jack Austin for many years, and deeply appreciate his support," said Bob Rae. "Senator Austin has a deep feeling for the Liberal Party, for Canadian politics and for good public policy. To have his support is a great honour."

Senator Austin has served in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, 1981-1984 as Minister for Social Development, Expo '86 and the Canada Development Investment Corporation; and in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Paul Martin 2003-2006 as Leader of the Government in the Senate. On both occasions he was also Regional Minister for British Columbia. Senator Austin was also Principal Secretary (Chief of Staff) to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau May 1974-August 1975.

Ralph Goodale to Support Bob Rae
November 28, 2006 - Ottawa - Bob Rae today welcomed the endorsement of Ralph Goodale, MP for Wascana and former federal cabinet minister, in his campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

"Bob Rae has demonstrated throughout his career a commitment to finding the right public policy solutions to the priority issues we face as a country," said Mr. Goodale. "He brings experience, an ability to bring people together for the common good and is committed to seeing an inclusive, united Liberal party. Bob has also demonstrated a concern for issues of importance to Western Canadians. Whether it is trade, agriculture, transportation or innovation and skills training, Bob brings expertise, insight and a desire to work with Canadians to ensure all provinces can reach their potential, in partnership with the federal government."

"I am honoured to have Ralph Goodale's support," said Bob Rae. "He has served as a Cabinet minister and Member of Parliament with distinction and dedication on behalf of his constituents and all Canadians. He has a powerful reputation for integrity and for fiscal responsibility. Ralph and I both believe in a party that is united, and that unified we can and will defeat Stephen Harper. I am pleased that we will be working together to that end."

Ralph Goodale was born in Regina and obtained a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 1974, serving until 1979. In 1981 he became leader of the Liberal Party of Saskatchewan. In 1993 he was elected again to the House of Commons, this time serving as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Public Works and Government Services in the government of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. In December 2003, Prime Minister Paul Martin named him Minister of Finance. He is currently the Liberal House Leader.

Donald Johnston to Support Bob Rae
Ottawa – November 22, 2006 - The Bob Rae campaign today announced the support of the Honourable Don Johnston for Bob Rae’s candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I believe that in Bob Rae we have someone who has not only the talent and the wisdom to lead but also the essential experience that comes with running a government and the responsibilities of leadership,” said Mr. Johnston. “I have known Bob since 1978, when we were both elected to the House of Commons. We both believe in the progressive centre and in true leadership on behalf of Canada in the world and in its policies at home. Bob has committed to helping ensure Canada’s economic competitiveness and good fiscal management. What is also important is a leader with the wisdom and understanding of the country to keep it united and true to its best principles. Bob would be an excellent leader of the Party and most important would provide the insight and leadership Canada needs in its Prime Minister.”

“Donald Johnston’s support means a great deal to me,” said Bob Rae. “As a distinguished academic and an expert in international trade and the law, he has served Canada with distinction on the international stage. As the former President of the Liberal Party, a former leadership candidate and as someone elected with me in 1978, his support means a great deal to me personally. I am pleased to be working with him as we seek to move Canada forward, in keeping with our country’s best traditions.”

Donald J. Johnston served as OECD Secretary-General from June 1996 to June 2006. Mr. Johnston was a Member of Parliament from 1978 to 1988. In 1984, he was a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, finishing third. He served in the Cabinet, first as President of the Treasury Board (which manages the federal public service and controls the national budget), and then as Minister of State for Economic and Regional Development, Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. In 1988, Mr. Johnston became legal counsel to the law firm, Heenan Blaikie, of which he was a founder in 1972. In 1990, Mr. Johnston was elected President of the Liberal Party of Canada. In 1992, he was re-elected and held the post through the election in 1993 that returned the Liberal Party to power. Mr. Johnston studied Arts and Law at McGill University, graduating from law in 1958 as the Gold Medallist. In 1958-59 he studied at the University of Grenoble on a scholarship. He taught fiscal law at McGill University from 1963 to 1976. He has written many articles on taxation, law and public affairs and is the author of several books.

Bob Rae Continues to Lead in Public Opinion Polling
November 2006 - Poll after poll after poll is showing Bob Rae's strength in the race, in Ontario and across Canada. In nine opinion surveys since the summer Bob Rae is the favourite in six and he is the only candidate who consistently scores in the top two in each. No other leadership candidate has consistently finished in the top two positions in every poll.

More polling this month confirms Bob Rae's lead in opinion polling. On November 9 CBC news reported: ".he's the Liberal leadership candidate most likely to make them vote for the party, a CBC study suggests..26 per cent said they would be more likely to vote Liberal if Rae is chosen to head the federal Liberal party. That was the strongest support in Ontario of the four main federal Liberal leadership candidates the survey focused on." On November 12, 2006, a Sun Media SES poll reported: "Comparing voters' preferences in the last federal election to their take on the Grit contenders, only former NDP Ontario premier Bob Rae shows any potential to turn another party's voters Liberal."

Other highlights from each poll since early September include:

September 2006 - Decima - Canadian Press - "Rae continues to hold a lead in the number of people who say they will vote Liberal or would consider voting Liberal if he was leader .Rae enjoys a 3 point lead over Stephane Dion and a 5 point lead over Michael Ignatieff..in Ontario, Rae enjoys a wider lead over Ignatieff, with 11% more Ontario voters saying they would vote Liberal or would consider voting Liberal with Rae."

September 14, 2006 - Gandalf - Among Canadians, Ken Dryden was the choice of 19% for Liberal leader with Bob Rae coming second at 17%.... Among Liberals, the results were similar, with Mr. Dryden and Mr. Rae tied for top pick with 19%, followed by Ignatieff (12%), Dion (8%) and Kennedy (7%).

September 20, 2006 - Canadian Press- A new poll suggests Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae are the favourites among Liberal party members to win the Grit leadership. .19 per cent of 1,000 Liberal members polled supported Mr. Ignatieff. Mr. Rae, the former NDP Ontario premier, had the support of 17 per cent. Quebec MP Stephane Dion had 13 per cent, followed by Ken Dryden and Gerard Kennedy with nine per cent each. Said the poll's author Allan Gregg: ".if you had to put money on it, you'd bet Rae right now."

Sept. 25, 2006 - EKOS - "Rae Best Poised to Win Liberal Race - Bob Rae is emerging as the leading candidate in the Liberal leadership race, according to an EKOS Research poll of Liberal Party members in Ontario and Quebec .Rae seems much better poised to gain strength as the weaker candidates fall away. "Among supporters of the seven other candidates in the race - those likely to fall off the ballot - Rae is the favoured second choice over Ignatieff by a margin of nearly two-to-one.

October 14, 2006 - "Canadians favour Rae to lead Liberals" - Toronto Star - "Rae, the former Ontario premier, is the choice of 26 per cent of the public, compared with 21 per cent for Ignatieff, according to EKOS Research Associates. -

October 18, 2006 - "Rae would do best against Harper, poll says" - Globe and Mail - "When Mr. Rae is figured into a race against Mr. Harper. 26 per cent say Mr. Rae would be the best prime minister of the four, while 36 per cent picked Mr. Harper. By comparison, the front-running Michael Ignatieff, was chosen by 23 per cent in a battle against Mr. Harper, who was picked by 37 per cent in such a contest. .(the poll) shows that 29 per cent of Ontarians believe Mr. Rae would be the best prime minister, well higher than the 22 per cent who picked Mr. Ignatieff and the 20 and 21 per cent, respectively, who picked Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Dion, respectively. "It puts to the test -- or to the lie --the notion that Rae carries the most baggage in the province of Ontario and that his five years as premier makes him unacceptable," said Allan Gregg, chairman of the Strategic Counsel. "In point of fact . . . he's slightly more acceptable than the other candidates."

November 6, 2006 - "Pollster predicts cliff-hanger"- Toronto Star - "EKOS found 21 per cent of delegates prefer Dion as their second choice, ahead of Rae and Kennedy. Trailing was Ignatieff, with 8 per cent..Rae did well as a second and third choice, .Rae also has lower negative ratings than Ignatieff. When Kennedy and Dion supporters were asked who they don't want to see win, 32 per cent of Kennedy's supporters and 39 per cent of Dion's listed Ignatieff, compared to 18 and 7 per cent, respectively, for Rae.

Liberal Leadership Candidate Bob Rae Unveils
Agriculture Policy Platform
Ottawa, Ontario – November 10, 2006 - Federal Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae today announced a series of agriculture policy initiatives intended to help farmers deal with the income and debt challenges they face.

“Something is fundamentally wrong when you have highly productive farms, as Canada does, yet the agriculture sector has suffered its worst three years of farm income in recent history.  Farm debt levels are rising to unsustainable levels.  Governments simply have to recognize that Canada’s farmers face stiff, heavily subsidized competition from Europe and the United States that keeps commodity prices artificially low at the same time as farm production costs are on the rise.  Our entire system of support to farmers has to be re-tooled to deal with that reality”, said Bob Rae.

Mr. Rae added that the report by Liberal MP Wayne Easter, Empowering Canadian Farmers in the Marketplace, provides an excellent foundation upon which to build a new approach to supporting farmers.  As the Easter Report stated, “For the short term, the federal government must recognize that, although Canadian farmers are efficient and competitive, they can’t compete against the national treasuries of the U.S. and E.U. Canada must establish competitive policy to keep Canadian farmers competitive until foreign subsidies are eliminated.”

Mr. Rae outlined the following initiatives to assist the agriculture sector and make it more competitive internationally. 

• Replace the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization Program (CAIS) with a new program that better deals with the challenges farmers face.  This would be done in close co-operation with agriculture organizations.  The CAIS is not working for framers and the federal government needs to recognize this fact;

• Increase investment in agricultural research and development and support technology transfer – educating farmers about new technologies and providing informational, technical and financial assistance to allow farmers to access and utilize those technologies;

• Build strategic partnerships with other nations to support Canada’s trade position at the World Trade Organization, keeping pressure on the U.S. and E.U. to commit to greater market access and significant immediate reductions in subsidies, with a commitment for their eventual elimination on a set timeline;

• Increase funding to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Department of International Trade to support the pursuit of new bilateral trade agreements and to pursue new markets for Canadian products;

• Support and defend the supply management system as a marketing system that benefits Canadian producers;

• Hold a democratic plebiscite with a clear question to allow western grain farmers to choose for themselves the future of the Canadian Wheat Board single-desk selling.  Farmers must have the ability to market their products through orderly marketing systems if they so choose;

• Work with the agriculture sector to develop a bio-fuels strategy and ensure Canadian producers are able to remain competitive and provide domestic feedstock for the existing bio-fuels industry.  This will include consideration of tax and support incentives that help farmers establish farmer-owned cooperative bio-fuels processing facilities;

• Invest in programs to promote Canadian-produced food to Canadian consumers and encourage them to buy Canadian, highlighting the high level of quality, environmental sustainability and safety of Canadian food.

In discussing his plan Bob Rae stated, “these initiatives are the beginning, not an end.  They are a start down the road to the development of a comprehensive agricultural policy framework, developed in close consultation with farmers.  Agriculture is one part of the Canadian economy that has been left behind.  Farmers have not shared in the prosperity most Canadians have enjoyed in recent years.  Governments need to face up to and deal with that reality.” 

Canada's Young People: Engaged Leaders, Global Citizens
Bob Rae's Action Plan For Canadian Youth
Waterloo, Ontario – November 10, 2006 - The Bob Rae Campaign today issued the following statement from Mr. Rae announcing an action plan for Canadian youth:

“Canada's young people are a remarkable group. They are connected, in tune with globalization, they are environmentally aware, they embrace diversity, they are moving beyond gender stereotypes, they seem to have a healthy suspicion about ideologies, and an ear for phoniness.  They are also deeply concerned about the world they are inheriting from us, with its problems from climate change and environmental degradation to poverty to security issues and simmering conflicts. They worry too about access to the higher learning they know is necessary to securing rewarding employment in our economy.                           

They also feel at times alienated from the systems and power structures around them, and puzzled by the failures at times of governments and societies to adequately come to grips with our major challenges. Many of them are searching for the entry points that would allow them to contribute effectively to their communities and to solving problems. And they can't find those entry points.  

It is our duty as leaders today to better equip them with the tools, the means and the opportunities to become engaged leaders and committed global citizens of tomorrow. To enable them to achieve their potential and do their part to ease the problems and solve the challenges facing us.

This is why I am proposing we increase substantially federal government support and partnerships for youth community service, and for academic exchanges for high school students and promising young scholars. Such efforts are crucial to channeling the energies of our young people and rounding out their formal education.”   

Bob Rae has made investments in Learning, Education and Apprenticeship an important theme in his campaign to become the next Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Following on his report on Education for the McGuinty Government in Ontario, Bob has committed to a major revamping and substantial increases in the Canada Student Loan Program. A government led by Mr. Rae would ensure the new system would focus on meeting the living expenses of students associated with attending post-secondary learning, with a higher proportion of grants.                                      

Mr. Rae added: “70 percent of jobs in the new economy will require post-secondary education. Our commitment in Canada must be that no qualified student should be denied the opportunity for an education, training or apprenticeship due to lack of funding.”.

“And we must go beyond supporting access to a good education. Canada's youth care - about their country and communities, about citizens in other countries, about lack of social justice that leads to strife and insecurity, and they want to be involved in bringing about a better world.”

“Community service, exchanges in Canada and abroad, and fellowship programs. These can provide positive, life-altering experiences, expand cultural horizons and one's knowledge base. These experiences can provide the skills necessary to team work and leadership, and the ability to adapt to fast-paced change.”

“Participants in such programs leave with deeper confidence in their own abilities and an ability to contribute to solving problems in their own communities and living good lives after the program.”          

“Such opportunities need to be expanded in Canada, not reduced. The Conservative government in Ottawa is taking the opposite approach. Despite a $13 billion surplus, they are cutting programs like the Fulbright Fellowship program that supported academic exchanges for our best and brightest. They have cut assistance to the Voluntary sector. Katimavik, Canada's Youth Service program, has been told they only have funding until next August. These ideologically motivated cutbacks are almost willfully blind to Canada's needs and opportunities. The Conservatives are shortchanging Canada's young people.”          

“A Liberal Government led by me would significantly expand opportunities for youth community service, within Canada and abroad. We would involve the private and voluntary sectors as partners. Our young people would have the opportunity to work in such areas as community development, environment and biodiversity projects, culture, education, and new media.”

“We would expand foreign and domestic exchange opportunities for University and College students on the Fulbright model.  Specifically, I would:

1. Immediately double the size of Katimavik and Canada World Youth, our fine existing youth internship programs.     

2. Work with Provinces to reestablish a national exchange program for high school students in both official languages. This is one of the best things I think we could do to enhance the unity and social solidarity of Canadian society.

3. Establish a post-secondary study community service program, providing bursaries and living stipends for up to two years of community service in diverse areas of community need in Canada. We would seek private voluntary sector involvement in securing matching funds and host-group support.

4. Restore and expand the Fulbright Scholar program for academic exchanges that was recently cut by the Conservatives. This would support promising academics in bilateral exchanges with the US and other countries, with work focused on areas of primary mutual interest such as trade, culture, security, conflict resolution and peace studies, and environmentally sustainable development. This program will help deepen mutual understanding and the knowledge base of future leaders.

5. Revamp and expand the Canada Student Loan Program to focus on the living need of students. This would be a major priority of a government led by me.

“Education and training, and a commitment to life-long learning are complementary. Youth Service and scholarly exchange programs, in Canada and abroad. These are the foundations that will equip our young people with the skills, the networks, and the vision they need to be leaders in their communities in Canada, and to be effective and caring citizens of the globe.”

“In my own experience and as the father of three young daughters who have opened my thinking to so much, I can personally attest to the value of such educational and service experiences. I want to help ensure that as many young Canadians as possible can similarly benefit. It is time to move. Canada's youth can't wait.” 

Andy Savoy to support Bob Rae
Ottawa - November 8, 2006 - The Bob Rae Campaign today announced the support of Andy Savoy, former MP, for Bob's campaign for the leadership. Andy Savoy was from 2000 to 2006 the MP for Tobique-Mactaquac (New Brunswick) and was the National Liberal Caucus Chair (2004 -2006) and Rural Caucus Chair (2003).

"Bob Rae understands rural Canada, is committed to balanced budgets, and believes in both corporate and personal tax breaks," said Mr. Savoy. "I am proud to be associated with a campaign that puts these issues front and centre in its policy priorities."

"To have the support of the former National Caucus Chair and to have more support from Atlantic Canada means a great deal to me and my campaign," said Bob Rae. "Andy believes in promoting the Liberal brand in all regions of the Canada and working with Canadians to deliver on their priorities no matter where they live. I look forward to working with him and I appreciate his support."

Mr. Savoy, an engineer and an MBA, will be working with Mr. Rae on rural issues and specifically renewable energy. "Bob believes in renewables – he knows that they are not just good for the environment, but the rural economy and consumers as well," added Mr. Savoy. "We need somebody with a vision for rural Canada and I believe that Bob is that person".

Savoy is a former President of the New Brunswick Environmental Industries Association, director of the Canadian Environmental Industries Association, and Chair of the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick (central branch).

Savoy and his wife Denyse have two children, Gabrielle 7 and Cade 5 and reside in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick. Mr. Savoy is a professional engineer, an MBA, and is President of Valcon Ltd., a construction company specializing in land improvement.

Richard Mahoney to Support Bob Rae
Ottawa - November 3, 2006 - The Bob Rae Campaign today announced the support of Richard Mahoney, former President of the Ontario Liberal Party, former federal Liberal Candidate and former Executive Assistant to the Right Honourable Paul Martin.

"Bob Rae is a leader. He is someone who brings wisdom, an in-depth knowledge of public policy questions and a strong commitment to progressive politics and ideas," said Mr. Mahoney. "Bob also understands how important it is to put past battles behind us and focus on building a Liberal party that is strong, united and fully prepared to fight the next election. Stephen Harper's plans to push through an agenda that mimics George Bush's international adventures and walks away from addressing climate change demand nothing less of us."

"I am very pleased to have Richard's support, given his long work for the party in Ontario and his experience in federal politics," said Mr. Rae. "Richard played a key role in helping Prime Minister Martin build his strong record of achievement. I want to lead a party that builds on the foundation he laid, first in the Department of Finance and then as Leader and Prime Minister on key issues that remain the centre of our Liberal agenda - fiscal discipline, balanced budgets, research, innovation, the New Deal for cities, quality of life for Aboriginal Canadians outlined in the Kelowna Accord, early learning and child care. Richard and I believe we must remain true to these objectives, as part of a progressive agenda for Canada and we want to work together with a party united to achieve them."

Mr. Mahoney has just completed his report as Chair of the Cities Task Force of the Liberal Party of Canada's Renewal Commission. In 2006 and 2004, he ran as the federal Liberal candidate in Ottawa-Centre and championed the idea of a New Deal for Cities and helped Mayor Bob Chiarelli in his long-running battle to bring a new light rail system to Ottawa. Richard is currently Counsel to Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP's Public Policy Practice Group. He is a former Executive Assistant to the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin. He was also an assistant to the Rt. Hon. John Turner, as well as to former Finance Minister Hon. Marc Lalonde and Ministers Serge Joyal and John Roberts. Richard was elected President of the Ontario Liberal Party from 1992 to 1995. Previously, he was President of the Young Liberals of Canada in the mid-eighties and was a dedicated proponent of reform in the federal Liberal Party at the Halifax Reform Conference in 1985. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Care Canada and the Cisco Systems Bluesfest. Richard also served as a Director of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Foundation for seven years and worked extensively with Ottawa's immigrant and refugee community on legal and settlement issues.

Senator Peter Stollery to Support Bob Rae
Ottawa – November 2, 2006 - The Bob Rae campaign today announced the endorsement of Senator Stollery for Bob Rae as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I will be supporting Bob Rae in the leadership of the Liberal Party,” said Senator Stollery. “I served in the House of Commons with Mr. Rae and I believe that he is the best candidate in a field of good people. He has experience in government and will make an excellent leader of the Liberal Party. I am certain that he will defeat Mr. Harper, whose views I find increasingly extreme, and make an excellent Prime Minister of Canada.”

Senator Peter Stollery represents the province of Ontario and the Senatorial Division of Yonge and Bloor in Toronto. He has served in the Senate of Canada since July 6, 1981. He is currently a Member of the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs. Over the years he has been involved with the Canada-Europe Interparliamentary Union. His areas of interest and specialization include foreign affairs, international economic affairs, and Latin America. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1972 to 1981.

Roger Gallaway to Support Bob Rae
Ottawa – November 2, 2006 - The Honourable Roger Gallaway today announced his support for Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. He joins the growing list of ex-officio delegates who are supporting Bob Rae, including Senator Peter Stollery, who also announced his support today.

“Bob Rae has served his fellow citizens throughout his career, in public life and then in the private sector,” said Mr. Gallaway. “His distinguished record qualifies him in my opinion for the leadership of our party and for the job of Prime Minister.”

“Roger has been a good host to me during my visits to Sarnia-Lambton,” said Mr. Rae. “I am pleased at the support I have received there and the work we have accomplished to date in this campaign.”

Roger Gallaway was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993, and represented the riding of Sarnia Lambton until 2006. In 1991, he was elected mayor of Point Edward, Ontario. He practiced law before entering politics and has long been engaged in community activities in the Sarnia region.

Susan Kadis to Support Bob Rae
Toronto – October 27, 2006 - At a news conference today in Toronto, Susan Kadis, Member of Parliament for Thornhill announced her support for Bob Rae in his campaign to lead the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I have made the decision to support Bob Rae because I believe he’s uniquely experienced, truly devoted to public service and his fundamental principles are consistent with my own,” said Mrs. Kadis. “He is ready for the rigours of leadership and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the progressive vision that Liberals believe in as opposed to the Harper government.”

“I am very pleased to have Susan Kadis’s support,” said Bob Rae. “She has been at the forefront of numerous important issues for her constituency and that has helped make her an excellent MP and representative for Thornhill. It is important to have people of her calibre, experience and dedication on the Liberal team and I look forward to working with her to advance issues of importance to residents of Thornhill and to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

First elected to the House of Commons on June 28, 2004, and re-elected in January 2006, Mrs. Kadis was appointed as the Associate Critic of Infrastructure and Communities. She was also elected as the Vice-Chairperson for the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. Currently, Mrs. Kadis is the lead critic for Science & Research and a Member of Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

In the previous session of Parliament, she was unanimously elected Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women. She was also elected as the Chair of the Greater Toronto Area Liberal Caucus, where she spearheaded a comprehensive intergovernmental strategy to address the growing urban violence in the GTA. Mrs. Kadis is the former publisher of The Thornhill Times community newspaper and was first elected to public office as a school trustee and subsequently elected as a City Councillor in Vaughan serving for two terms. Mrs. Kadis is a graduate of York University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology.

Oliver Langdon announces his support for Bob Rae
Ottawa (October 23, 2006) – Oliver Langdon, a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly and a former cabinet minister, today announced his support for Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“Bob Rae has an excellent record of public service and wide experience. He knows and understands Canada and its people. He will be an outstanding leader of the Liberal Party and an exceptional Prime Minister,” said Mr. Langdon.

Bob Rae praised Mr. Langdon for his years of service to the community as a teacher and a citizen.

“Oliver Langdon was an educator, a municipal representative and, since 1989, a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. His public spirit speaks for itself and I’m grateful for his support of my candidacy,” Mr. Rae said.

Mr. Langdon was elected to the House of Assembly five times and was Minister of Environment and Labour and Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs in Liberal governments. He is now critic for Municipal and Provincial Affairs in the House of Assembly. He will attend the Liberal Leadership Convention in Montreal as an ex-officio delegate.

John Efford Announces his Support for Bob Rae
Ottawa (October 23, 2006) – Former Newfoundland and Labrador cabinet minister John Efford today announced his support for Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“Bob Rae has the experience, an understanding of the country and a commitment to public service that will make him an outstanding leader of our party. I am enthusiastically supporting his candidacy,” Mr. Efford said.

“John Efford is a distinguished Canadian who served his province and his country with honour and achievement. In politics and in business, Mr. Efford contributed to the betterment of Canada and I’m proud to have his support,” said Bob Rae.

After a successful business career, Mr. Efford served as a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1985 to 2001. He was minister of social services, minister of works, services and transportation and minister of fisheries and aquaculture. Mr. Efford was first elected to the House of Commons in 2002 and re-elected in 2004. In Ottawa, he served a Minister of Natural Resources. During his time as an MP he was also a member of several House Committees including Canadian Heritage, Fisheries and Oceans, Human Resources, Status of Persons with Disabilities and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

John Godfrey announces his Support for Bob Rae
Ottawa (October 20, 2006) - Today, the Honourable John Godfrey, MP for Don Valley West and former Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) announced his support for Bob Rae in his bid to lead the Liberal Party of Canada.

"I have known Bob for many years and know what he has brought to his community and to his province in terms of public and community service and I think he stands to offer a great deal more to Canada," said Mr. Godfrey. "The Liberal Party must offer a strong alternative to the Conservative government and this is particularly important in the areas of social policy, foreign policy and the environment. Bob understands these issues and their importance both to the party and also to the future of the country."

"I am very pleased to have John Godfrey's support," said Mr. Rae. "He led the way in Caucus for important social policy reforms such as early learning and child care and in Cabinet he pushed ahead the new agenda for cities. He cares passionately about policy that advances the public good and I am honoured to have his support."

Mr. Godfrey made the announcement today in Ottawa with Bob Rae at the National Press Club, on the occasion of a speech by Mr. Rae on the environment entitled: "Climate Change: Global Responsibility, Canadian Opportunity."

A nationally known academic, author and editor, John Godfrey was first elected to Parliament in 1993 and appointed Canada's first Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) on July 20th 2004, prior to which he served as Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Paul Martin with special emphasis on Cities, leading efforts to secure the New Deal for Cities and Communities. Mr. Godfrey had previously held the positions of Chair of both the Heritage Committee and the Industry Committee, among others. He has also been Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation, and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Mr. Godfrey served as Chair of the Liberal Caucus Social Policy Committee for four years. Prior to serving in Canada's Parliament, Mr. Godfrey enjoyed a distinguished career in the academic world and journalism. He first gained a national profile during his tenure, from 1987 to 1991, as Editor of The Financial Post. He has also been the Vice-President of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, one of Canada's leading research institutes specializing in social, economic and scientific issues of national importance. Mr. Godfrey was a professor of history Dalhousie University for 17 years, ten of which he served as President of King's College. A widely-published writer, Mr. Godfrey co-authored The Canada We Want - Competing Visions for the New Millennium in 1999.

Karen Kraft Sloan Announces Her Support for Bob Rae
Ottawa (October 13, 2006) - Former Ontario MP Karen Kraft Sloan today announced her support for Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

"Bob Rae is the person best qualified to lead the Liberal Party of Canada," said Mrs. Kraft Sloan.

"He has solid experience in governing, leadership and experience in managing environmental issues. He understands that environmental sustainability is necessary for long-term prosperity," added Mrs. Kraft Sloan. "I am enthusiastically supporting his candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada."

"Karen Kraft Sloan has served Canada as both an MP and as Ambassador for the Environment with great distinction. She represents the best of the Liberal Party and I am grateful for her support. I look forward to working with her on environmental issues," said Bob Rae.

Following a career running her own strategic planning consulting business and teaching, Mrs. Kraft Sloan served as Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe from 1993 to 1997 and for York North from 1997 to 2004. She was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment from 1996 to 1998 and served as the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development from 1994 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2003.

Liberal Leadership Candidate Bob Rae Outlines
Comprehensive Plan on Global Warming
Toronto - October 13, 2006 - Today the Honourable Bob Rae, candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada unveiled his comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming. 

"Climate change is the gravest environmental challenge facing our planet this century. It is both a global responsibility and a Canadian opportunity. We need to learn from some of the false starts on this file, and commit to a plan that will achieve meaningful reductions in our emissions. We owe it to all regions of this country, to our children, to their children, and to our fellow inhabitants of the planet", said Bob Rae.

"Investing in alternative energy and innovative green technologies will help ensure Canadian businesses become more competitive in the global economy. Prosperity and sustainability do go hand-in-hand," said Mr. Rae

He added: "Stephen Harper's Conservatives are ignoring the number one environmental issue we face. Their so-called "Clear Air Policy" fails to address the warming issues that lie behind the increasing number of smog days we see. The Harper plan is nothing but "smog and mirrors."

Mr. Rae's plan consists of the following elements:

1. Establish a hard cap regulation on the CO2 emissions from Large Final Emitters (LFES). Allow LFEs to buy and sell emissions credits in a domestic carbon exchange, with opportunities to participate in international carbon trading. Reduce the total number of credits at a pace that ensures emissions targets are being met, including the 2012 Kyoto targets, and targets set thereafter;
    
2. Commit to coming as close as possible to achieving Canada's Kyoto objectives for 2012, and establish firm targets for subsequent periods, including matching the European Union targets of 15-30% below current levels by 2020. Commit Canada to the long-term target recommended by the National Roundtable on the Environment of a 60% reduction in emissions by 2050;
    
3. Establish a system of tracking spending and results against stated targets, and report publicly and regularly on progress, as recommended by the Commissioner of the Environment. As part of this effort, pass Bill C-288, the Liberal-sponsored Bill (Rodriguez and Godfrey) currently before the House that is designed to help "ensure Canada meets its global climate change obligations under the Kyoto Protocol", and includes annual reporting to Parliament on progress;
    
4. Create a long-term, federal "Green Infrastructure" Program for partnering with provinces and municipalities on projects that contribute to a reduced-emissions economy. This would support the development of alternative energy sources, an East-West power grid, with more distributed and diverse sources of energy, improved transit, and infrastructure designed to withstand the pressures of a changing climate;
    
5. Implement regulated standards for vehicle emissions standards to match and even improve on what is being achieved by other leading jurisdictions, following the expiry of the voluntary code for emissions standards in 2010.
    
6. Re-establish the climate change programs recently cancelled by the Harper government and commended by the Commissioner of the Environment, including the Energuide for Houses and Low Income Household Programs, the Wind Power Production Incentive and Renewable Power Production Incentive, and the One Tonne Challenge;
   
7. Provide tax incentives to encourage builders and buyers of new homes to meet the R2000 standard for energy efficiency. Provide tax incentives to encourage energy retrofits of existing homes. Over time, amend the Canada Building Code and work with Provinces to include a regulated standard for high energy efficiency for homes and businesses;
    
8. Provide incentives to encourage the purchase of high efficiency appliances for homes and businesses. Over time, introduce through the Energy Efficiency Act a regulated standard for high efficiency;
    
9. Strengthen assistance to the agriculture sector to assist in the expansion of production and availability of biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel;
    
10. Expand the size and the focus of youth internship programs, such as Katimavik and Canada World Youth, to provide Canada's young people with the opportunity to work on diverse environmental remediation and alternative energy projects here and abroad. Start with a doubling of the size of the current programs to accommodate this "green focus";
     
11. Increase overseas development assistance with a focus on "green projects" in developing nations to help them develop low carbon emission economies, and position them to participate fully in future rounds of Kyoto. Such initiatives would be designed to count towards Canada's obligations for emission reduction under the "Clean Development Mechanisms" of the Kyoto Protocol. These increases would be part of Canada's attaining the Pearson target of .7 of GDP for Official Development Assistance by 2015;

Gisèle Lalonde to Support Bob Rae
Ottawa – October 3, 2006 – Bob Rae proudly announced today the support of Gisèle Lalonde for his candidacy in the race for leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
 
“I think Bob Rae is the best candidate in the race for the party leadership.  He understands the needs of communities in our region and has defended the status of the French language in Ontario and across the country throughout his career,” said Ms. Lalonde. “Many candidates in the race for the leadership have demonstrated their commitment to minority language communities. However, Bob Rae has the experience needed to lead the country.”
 
“I am very happy to receive the support of someone of the stature of Gisèle Lalonde,” said Bob Rae. “She is eminently respected by minority language communities across Canada and in the regions of Ottawa and the Outaouais in particular. The French fact is a founding and essential part of the Ontario identity and its survival and the growth of its culture is due to leaders such as Gisèle who have helped build Ontario communities.”
 
Gisèle Lalonde was the Mayor of Vanier from 1985 to 1991.  She is recognized as an ardent defender of francophone rights in Ontario, as illustrated by her work on the Montfort Hospital issue.  She taught in the Ottawa region and was a member of the French Language School board for thirteen years. In 1988, she became the founding president of the Ontario Association of Francophone Municipalities.  Ms. Lalonde was also the head of SOS Montfort, the campaign to stop the closure of the only french-language hospital in Ontario. In 2004, she received the Order of Canada.

Michael Robinson Announces His Support for Bob Rae
Ottawa (September 29, 2006) - Michael Robinson today announced his support for Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

"Bob Rae is the right person to lead the Liberal Party of Canada," said Mr. Robinson. "He understands that party unity is critical at this juncture and knows what steps a leader must take to prepare for and win the next election. Bob also has the experience and knowledge that are required to deal with the public policy challenges facing the country."

"Mike has served the Liberal Party under four prime ministers with intelligence and vigour," said Bob Rae. "He represents what is best in our Party, and I am honoured to have him on our team."

In addition to Mr. Robinson, over 80 Liberals and distinguished Canadians endorsed Bob in an open letter to party members this week, saying: " Bob Rae is someone whose experience, qualifications and character set him apart in electoral politics and they are among the reasons why we are supporting him to become the next Liberal leader and Prime Minister." Among those endorsing Bob were political leaders such as the Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, the Hon. Monique Bégin, former MP André Harvey, the Hon. Jane Stewart, the Hon. Nick Taylor and John Webster, author Margaret Atwood and filmmaker Deepa Mehta, business leaders such as former Ontario Lt. Gov. Hal Jackman and Frank Dottori, economists Michael Mendolson and Arthur Donner, and community activists including Rose Ellen Ghiz, Lata Pada, and Ruth Goldbloom. Supporters from the fields of education and health included Dr. Fred Lowy, Dr. Brian Desbiens and Michael Decter.

Mr. Robinson has served the Liberal party in various capacities. He served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Liberal Party of Canada during the leadership of John Turner and Jean Chrétien. He was chairman of Paul Martin's leadership campaign and later head of Prime Minister Martin's transition team. He is currently a Member of the party's revenue committee and will be a delegate at the party convention. Mr. Robinson was the founding partner of PAI, an Ottawa government relations firm, and later joined the Earnscliffe Strategy Group where is currently one of the firm's Principals. Prior to that he served as an Executive Assistant to the Hon. Judd Buchanan a federal Cabinet Minister in the Trudeau government.

Endorsement Letter to Liberal Members
Dear Member of the Liberal Party of Canada,

In a country of two official languages, 10 provinces, three territories, Aboriginal peoples and immigrants from around the globe, we need leaders who can bring us together and, more importantly, bridge what divides us, build common cause and find solutions to whatever problems we face. In a country as complex as ours we ask a great deal of those who govern on our behalf. We believe Bob Rae is one of the few who can meet that challenge.

Some of us are long-time Liberals, others simply Canadians who care deeply about the direction and unity of our country. We are united in believing that Bob Rae is someone whose experience, qualifications and character set him apart in electoral politics and they are among the reasons why we are supporting him to become the next Liberal leader and Prime Minister and are urging you to vote for him on Super Weekend.

Anyone who enters political life faces onerous demands. Wherever politics is played there is harsh criticism and in the modern political arena of twenty-four hour news the responsibility is unrelenting. There are few enough among us who have what it takes to be a Canadian Prime Minister, and fewer still who are willing to make the necessary personal sacrifices. Fortunately, Bob Rae is willing to take on that burden and we know he is up to the task.

Bob has always put the public interest first and been a true public servant in that respect. His guiding beliefs and vision are in keeping with the best Canadian traditions of decency, the common good and an independent, principled foreign policy. But he also understands that government is more than just about vision or ideas: it must deliver on fundamental obligations, manage core services, resolve disputes and respond to crises. This requires the kind of knowledge and acumen that only comes from experience. Bob understands the challenges and dilemmas incumbent in leadership and he is prepared for the range of challenges that may arise and test our leaders.

Since leaving office, Bob went on to do so much more in other fields: in mediation, in trade law, in domestic and international conflict resolution, as a champion of the arts, in his commitment to a united Canada and to federalism. He has been a leader in every sense of the term. It is no wonder he has been the "go-to guy" for premiers, prime ministers, industry and the non-profit sector in resolving tough issues and reviewing important files. His experience is remarkable and his understanding of the issues and the peoples of Canada profound.

We are people from all parts of Canada who have come to know and respect Bob. What we realize above all is that he truly understands our country. He knows our past and those values that have bound us as a nation. He is a leader for our times and it is our hope that Liberals and Canadians have the opportunity to have a statesman such as him as a leader in our national government.

Sincerely, 

Liberal Leadership Candidate Hedy Fry to support Bob Rae
Ottawa (September 25, 2006) - The Honourable Hedy Fry, candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada today announced that she will put her support behind Bob Rae for the Liberal leadership.

“Bob Rae represents the progressive principles and ideals that I consider to be consistent with my Liberal values,” said Dr. Fry. “Most importantly he has shown clear vision as an advocate in public and in private life and leadership skills as a politician and public servant. Bob has the experience, the ability and the political will to lead a 21st Century Canada.”

Dr. Fry added: “Bob understands British Columbia and its ability and desire to play a strong role in a competitive Canada. I am unwavering in my support for him and look forward to an upcoming election under his leadership against Stephen Harper.”

“Dr. Fry and I share a firm belief in the importance of learning and education as a transforming force for society and individuals and she has always taken an unwavering stance in support of tolerance, multiculturalism and equality,” said Bob Rae. “She also knows what it means to be on the front lines of the health care system. I am proud to have won her endorsement and know she will provide valuable policy insight and continue to serve as a passionate advocate in Caucus.”

In 1993, Dr. Hedy Fry became the first “rookie” in Canadian history to defeat an incumbent prime minister (Kim Campbell). Dr. Fry served six years as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women. She served as president of the British Columbia Medical Association and in leadership capacities with the Canadian Medical Association. She has served on the boards of the David Suzuki Foundation and Doctors Against Nuclear War. Dr. Fry has been a passionate and persuasive advocate for those experiencing economic disadvantage, substance abuse, mental and physical disabilities, intolerance and discrimination. GLBT Canadians have trusted Dr. Fry as an uncompromising advocate of full, unrestricted equality, including her leadership role in the struggle for equal marriage. Born in the diverse cultural environment of Trinidad, she studied medicine in Dublin, Ireland and settled in Canada in 1970. Dr. Fry has three adult sons.

André Harvey to Support Bob Rae
Chicoutimi, 21 September 2006 – Former MP for Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, André Harvey, today announced he will support Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“Bob is the candidate who has what it takes to be the next Prime Minister of Canada,” said Mr. Harvey. “He is the only one with the necessary experience and he understands the issues in the various regions of Canada. He is a leader who brings people together and will lead us to victory over Stephen Harper in the next election.”

“I am very happy to have the support of André Harvey,” said Bob Rae. “Throughout his time as an MP, André has shown he gets things done – he is a builder who has worked tirelessly for economic development in this region and his accomplishments demonstrate that: including Highway 175, the Aluminium Technology Centre, the Old Port of Chicoutimi, Mont Edouard and the Marine Park. It means a lot to my team to have someone like him helping us. Day by day we see new support in all regions of Quebec and Canada, which is good news for our campaign.”

André Harvey was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984. After nine years in the Commons, he was defeated in 1993, but was elected again in 1997. He was MP for Chicoutimi-Le Fjord until 2004 and was a Liberal candidate in the 2006 election.

Elmer Buchanan supporting Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae
September 19, 2006 - Elmer Buchanan, former Minister of Agriculture in Bob Rae’s Ontario government, is declaring his support for Rae in the Liberal leadership race.

Buchanan held the agriculture portfolio from 1990-1995 under Rae’s leadership. He remained extremely popular among rural voters throughout his tenure as Minister, and is a well-known and respected member of Peterborough’s agricultural community today.

“People might want to know why I am moving from the NDP to the Liberal party,” said Buchanan, “and the main reason, for me, is Stephen Harper. I’m deeply concerned about the Harper agenda and what it means for the future of Canada.

“I watched Mike Harris dismantle and destroy public services in Ontario, and I think it’s time to step up and oppose that agenda at the national level. I feel the best way to do that is by supporting Bob Rae.

“After observing and listening to all the leadership candidates, I know Rae is the best choice. Having worked with closely with Bob myself I know he’s responsive to people’s real needs, he makes it happen.”

Mr. Buchanan also cited Rae’s experience and leadership in rural issues as reasons for his support, which he is declaring at the occasion of today’s International Plowing Match in Peterborough. “In terms of rural issues, I believe Bob’s leadership skills and experience have demonstrated he will not just listen and make promises but he will actively respond to the needs of rural Canadians.

“As a family farm person, I believe the International Plowing Match is an important celebration of agriculture and rural life. I cherish the opportunity to work with Bob Rae as Prime Minister of Canada to help restore agriculture and rural communities to the prominent position they once held in this great country.”

Currently Elmer is the fourth generation to live on his family’s heritage farm, established in 1832. He raises alpacas, angora goats and other mixed livestock.

Liberal Leadership Candidate Carolyn Bennett
Throws her support behind Bob Rae
Vancouver - September 15, 2006 - At a press conference today in Vancouver, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, federal Liberal leadership candidate, medical doctor and former Minister of State for Public Health and medical doctor, announced her support for Bob Rae.

“I have decided to support Bob Rae’s candidacy because of his progressive vision for the country. Bob and I both recognize the urgent need for practical reforms to health and health care as well as for our party and our Parliament. Bob has also championed an independent Canadian foreign policy, and a progressive, fiscally prudent economic and social agenda, both of which I strongly support. His values, priorities and vision best correspond to those I laid out in my campaign, and I enthusiastically throw my support behind him”, said Dr. Bennett.

Dr. Bennett has run a strong, ideas-based campaign, focused on democratic renewal and the broad range of issues related to public health. She has been a consistent and strong advocate for women’s issues throughout her Parliamentary career and in this campaign.

“Carolyn has set an important agenda in this leadership, grounded in core Liberal values. She understands the challenges of Canada’s health care system and has advocated sensible, thoughtful, ideas to improve the system. I am honoured and deeply pleased she has decided to support my candidacy. And I will continue to champion the issues and reform ideas Carolyn has put on the table”, said Bob Rae.

In closing Dr. Bennett said: “Bob is by far the most experienced candidate in this race. He is passionate, articulate and energetic. He has the best sense of the country and its complexities, which he gained the hard way-- through 30 years of public life at both the federal and provincial levels. Over the course of this leadership campaign he has earned the respect of Liberals at the grassroots level. I am confident he is ready to lead this party and fight the retrograde policies of the Harper government in the next election. Bob will make an excellent Prime Minister of Canada”.

Dr. Bennett has represented the riding of St. Paul's in Toronto since 1997. She joins Maurizio Bevilacqua as the second leadership candidate to endorse Bob Rae’s campaign.

Bob Rae Gets Another High Profile Endorsement
September 9, 2006 - Federal Liberal Leadership Candidate Bob Rae continues to attract a broad cross section of political support from across Canada.

His latest endorsement comes from Paul Summerville, considered a star NDP candidate in the 2006 federal election. Summerville, a former RBC Chief Economist, ran in the Toronto riding of St. Paul’s.

“Bob Rae’s candidacy for leader of the Liberal Party of Canada immediately changed the political landscape and I imagine it will continue to do the same for many others,” said Summerville. “Bob understands the complex challenges that Canada faces, and will face,” said Summerville.

“He has a unique combination of the intelligence, the presence, and the experience of government that a successful Prime Minister will require to lead a country like Canada in the decade ahead.”

Summerville’s move was welcomed by Bob Rae. It comes on the heels of a Decima Research survey that demonstrates Rae’s broad appeal in Ontario, and across Canada.

“A united and progressive Liberal Party can reach across party lines to attract new supporters. It is this kind of broad coalition of support that will help us win back voters and subsequently form the government of Canada,” said Rae.

Bob Rae Outlines Policies for Health Care Renewal
Toronto – September 7, 2006 - Today Bob Rae, candidate for the Liberal leadership, unveiled a 6-point plan to improve the health of Canadians and bring Canada’s health care system into the 21st century.

“This is a realistic, cooperative strategy to improve the health of Canadians. Canadians need and deserve practical health care solutions and improvements to the system, which means getting beyond the ideological blinkers of the NDP and the empty rhetoric and inaction of the Harper government”, said Bob Rae.

“I stand firm in my support of the principles that guided Liberal architects of the system, such as Monique Bégin, who introduced the Canada Health Act. And, in developing this plan, I am pleased to have had the advice of health care authorities, including former federal Ministers of Health Monique Bégin, Diane Marleau and Ujjal Dosanjh, and current Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman. I also believe that the true experts are patients and we must be accountable to them.”

Bob Rae is the only candidate for the Liberal Leadership who has had the responsibility for leading a government and managing the country’s largest health care system. As Premier of Ontario, Mr. Rae also put in place the Trillium Drug program. And he knows that the federal government must work cooperatively with the provinces and territories to resolve today’s health care challenges.

Specifically, Mr. Rae commits that a government led by him would:

• Establish The Maple Leaf Drug Plan, a national catastrophic drug program which will build on provincial drug plans and will ensure no Canadian is forced to choose between their health and their personal finances;
• Strengthen the Canada Health Act by establishing an Accountability Principle;
• Establish an effective wait-times strategy with substantial new investments in electronic health solutions, surge capacity in centres of excellence, and funding to provinces to expand the categories of benchmarks for timely patient care;
• Work with the Provinces and Territories to help alleviate the shortages of doctors, nurses, lab technicians, physiotherapists and other health professionals;
• Support and provide adequate funding to the Population Health Strategy recommended by the Health Council of Canada, which will include an emphasis on improving the health status of Aboriginals and the re-establishment of federal support for Participaction;
• Increase funding to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

”The initiatives I am proposing, taken together, are intended to reinforce the foundation of our public health care system by filling key gaps, and making it more adaptive, responsive and patient centred. My plan emphasizes the need for health promotion, as well as treatment. It will improve the accountability of all governments--federal and provincial-- and help them to meet their legal and moral obligations of timely, appropriate care to patients,” said Bob Rae.

Bob Rae's Health Care Platform - Backgrounder
Canadian patients require greater assurances that care will be there when they need it. They deserve to see that improvements are occurring, and problems are being identified and fixed, in a timely and transparent way. They expect that modern technologies will be brought to bear to ensure that care is accessible, safe, and of high quality. We all want to see every sector of society leading healthy, active lives-- the young, seniors, women, Aboriginal peoples, all of us.

The Rae plan is designed to strengthen accountability and transparency between governments and citizens regarding health care spending, enhance accessibility and quality of care, and promote healthier living for all Canadians, with a particular focus on the health needs of Aboriginal peoples. It is anchored in a solid commitment to publicly funded health care, with an invigorated federal government role, in partnership with the provinces, designed to modernize and move the system forward, including a strengthened Canada Health Act.

The elements of Mr. Rae’s plan are as follows:

The Maple Leaf Drug Plan
Pharmaceutical drugs are a costly, but necessary, and increasingly important component of health care--we spend more on drugs in Canada every year than we do on physician services. Some of these new drugs are extraordinarily expensive, and having to pay for them out of pocket would bankrupt most Canadians. The current system is a patchwork of drug programs that needs to be supplemented with a national catastrophic drugs plan so that no Canadian has to choose between their health and their personal finances.

Provinces requested the federal government take the lead on a catastrophic drugs program during the talks on the last Health Accord. A Liberal federal government led by Bob Rae would do so by establishing The Maple Leaf Drug Plan.

Enshrine Accountability in the Canada Health Act
Citizens expect governments to be accountable for the dollars they spend, and transparent regarding the results achieved, whether in the areas of health outcomes, wait times, or increases in the numbers of health professionals. Provinces and the Federal government have made a good start on a reporting agenda. It is time to consolidate and build on that progress directly within the Canada Health Act.

A Liberal federal government led by Bob Rae would strengthen the Canada Health Act by establishing an accountability principle. This would include the use of comparable indicators, common benchmarks and performance reporting to the public.

Wait Times Strategy
Wait times for various medical procedures remain one of the major shortcomings in our health care system and are of great concern to Canadians. A government led by Bob Rae would establish an effective wait-times strategy that respects provincial jurisdiction. This would include investments in electronic-health solutions (electronic scheduling, electronic patient records, telehealth, and common data standards for public reporting). E-health solutions will enhance the quality of care, improve accessibility, and help ensure patient safety. This plan would also provide funding to Provinces and Territories to continue to expand the categories of medically acceptable benchmarks for timely patient care, as well as funding for “surge capacity” in centres of excellence to handle backlogs and bottlenecks in the system. This would include contributions to help establish an intra and inter-provincial mechanism to move patients, only as required, to access timely care. Stronger support for e-Health initiatives in Aboriginal communities, such as telehealth, to help ensure timely, and appropriate care, would also be provided.

In addressing the wait times issue we must be guided by the excellent work of Dr. Brian Postl, Advisor on Wait Times to the federal government, and not put his report “on the shelf”, as the Conservative government seems to have done.

Health Human Resources
Our health care system is also hampered in its effectiveness due to shortages of health professionals. This is a major concern for Canadians. A Rae government would work with the Provinces and Territories to help alleviate the shortages of doctors, nurses, lab technicians, physiotherapists and other health professionals. The federal government can act as an important agent of change in this area, including by making contributions to fund spaces at colleges and universities for health professionals to improve the long-term supply. New initiatives would also promote greater utilization of nurses and primary care practitioners; ensure the creation of a federal fund that would allow Provinces and Territories to increase access to care through substitution with other specialty trained health care professionals; and make a major push, working with the Provinces and Territories, to recognize the credentials of immigrant health professionals.

Healthy Living
Bob Rae has long been a proponent of healthier living, having established Community Health Centres across Ontario when he was Premier. Today, promoting and facilitating healthier living among all Canadians should be a priority for all governments. Toward this end, a government led by Bob Rae would support and provide adequate funding to the Population Health Strategy recommended by the Health Council of Canada.

This would include funding to stimulate progress in healthy living, including re-establishing federal support for “Participaction.” It would also include promoting and funding greater utilization of e-health tools to help manage chronic diseases.

A special emphasis will be placed on improving the health of Aboriginal people, who face distinct and often acute health challenges, such as high incidence of diabetes and other chronic illness. We need effective strategies to help close the health gap that exists between Aboriginals and the general Canadian population. Improving the health and well being of children will also be a priority. Childhood obesity is increasing at a troubling rate and must be addressed in a collaborative effort. Both with respect to Aboriginals and children, targets will be established for health outcomes and data will be developed that links health outcomes to the social and economic factors that influence health.

Research to Modernize Health Services and Treatment
Health research needs to be a cornerstone of our health care system. Effective health services and treatment breakthroughs are built on high quality research. Canada must be a leader, not a laggard in such research. A government led by Bob Rae would increase funding to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and put CIHR funding on a predictable basis, as recently recommended by Dr Carolyn Bennett.

The honourable Diane Marleau to support Bob Rae
Sudbury (September 7, 2006) - The Honourable Diane Marleau, Member of Parliament for Sudbury and former Cabinet Minister under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, today announced that she will support Bob Rae’s campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“Bob Rae has a deep understanding of the issues facing our country today,” said Mrs. Marleau. “He recognizes the value of an independent Canadian foreign policy. He knows how crucial it is to maintain and defend Canada’s public health care system. Just as importantly, Bob understands that the future of Canada depends on the sustainability of our regions. The federal government must play a positive role in ensuring opportunity and prosperity for the citizens of the North. Now, more than ever, we need an experienced hand to take the lead. That is why I believe Bob is the best candidate for Sudbury, for Northern Ontario and for Canada.”

“Diane Marleau is one of the most highly-regarded members of the Liberal Caucus,” said Bob Rae. “Her commitment to public service is remarkable, and I have always been impressed with the integrity with which she serves her constituents and her country. She has been a leading advocate for regional economic development and an ardent defender of the Canada Health Act. I am delighted to have the support of such a distinguished, well-respected parliamentarian. Together, we will continue to lead the charge on these issues and others as we work to build a stronger Liberal Party, a stronger Northern Ontario and a stronger Canada.”

Diane Marleau was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988 and has been re-elected five times since. She served as Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie. She has also been a member of the House of Commons standing committee on foreign affairs. Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Mrs. Marleau served as an alderman and as a regional councillor in the Regional Municipality of Sudbury from 1980 to 1985.

Bob Rae has always been a defender of Northern Ontario’s interests. During his tenure as Premier, Bob built partnerships with industry and workers that secured employment in the transportation sector and steel, notably at Bombardier’s Thunder Bay operation and at Algoma Steel. Bob also worked to expand post-secondary education and colleges in communities such as Sudbury with the establishment of Collège Boréal.

Senator Jean Lapointe Supports the Candidacy of Bob Rae
Ottawa, September 7, 2006 – Bob Rae proudly announced today the support of Liberal Senator, the Honourable Jean Lapointe, for his campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I believe Bob Rae is the best candidate in the race for the leadership of the Party. My support is unconditional, and I would not support another,” said Senator Lapointe. “Bob has the experience and the judgment needed to lead our country. He is the only one with the qualities that are essential in a party leader and Prime Minister.”

“For me, to receive such important support from someone like Senator Jean Lapointe is very gratifying,” said Bob Rae. “He is someone who is eminently respected by the public for his humanitarianism and his talents, and has done such an enormous amount for Quebec culture and the honour of the Senate.”

Representing the Senatorial division of Saurel, Québec, Jean Lapointe is well known as a great Canadian performer. As a singer, humourist, speaker, actor and composer, he had a brilliant public career before leading up to being named to the Senate in 2001. An Officer of the Order of Canada and also an Officer of the National Order of Québec, is has always been active the broader community. Senator Lapointe among other endeavours established the Jean Lapointe Foundation and the Maison Jean Lapointe, organizations dedicated to fighting drug and alcohol abuse and addictive gambling in Quebec.

Bob Rae Commits to Building a National Catastrophic Drug Plan
Truro, NS (September 6, 2006) - Speaking to Liberals in Truro Nova Scotia today, Bob Rae committed to establishing a National Catastrophic Drug Plan - a new Maple Leaf Plan.

“The four Atlantic provinces currently do not offer the same level of catastrophic drugs coverage as other provinces,” said Mr. Rae. “This is not acceptable and federal support for a national initiative of this type would go a long way to support the provinces in health care delivery. It is also in keeping with the original vision behind Medicare: pooling resources so that individuals do not need to choose between their health and their financial savings.”

Pharmaceutical drugs are a costly, but necessary, and increasingly important component of health care. Some of these new drugs are extraordinarily expensive, and having to pay for them out of pocket would bankrupt most Canadians. The current system is a patchwork of drug programs that needs to be supplemented with a national catastrophic drugs plan so that no Canadian has to choose between their health and their personal finances. Provinces requested the federal government take the lead on a catastrophic drugs program during the talks on the last Health Accord. A Liberal federal government led by Bob Rae would do so.

As Premier of Ontario, Mr. Rae put in place the Trillium Drug program. Mr. Rae will return to Toronto tomorrow where he will outline his vision for renewing health care services in Canada, during a press event in Toronto at 11 AM.

Bob Rae Outlines Plan for Post-Secondary Education and Training
Edmonton (August 15, 2006) - Bob Rae, candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada today outlined his vision for post-secondary education and training during a visit to Alberta.

‘Canadians are seeing the lowest unemployment in decades. We live in prosperous times. But there are significant challenges ahead that we must prepare for now. In Alberta in particular we are already facing a shortage in the skilled trades. As our population ages, there will be still fewer people supporting the demand for labour, or our health care and pension systems. Half of First Nations communities are under the age of eighteen. Those children will need education, training, work and respect.’

Mr. Rae added: ‘Apprenticeships and training in Canada are not what they should be. According to the Council on Learning, Canada suffers "woeful" levels of adult literacy and few workers receive on-the-job training. Across the country, a quarter of our youth leave high school without a diploma; and among many Canadians (in the aboriginal community, for example) the number is higher. A further quarter get their diploma and enter the work force without any further education—this in an economy where 70% of the jobs being created require a post-secondary degree.’

Bob Rae believes education, training, research must re-emerge as priorities of the national government. We must recognize that prosperity, shared opportunity and equity are mutually reinforcing.

Mr. Rae outlined a 7-point plan to address these labour and educational issues:

1) A principle we must enshrine in our education systems is that every qualified student should have access to college and university. No one should be loaded down with debts they can’t afford.

2) We need a federal-provincial student grants and loans program to cover both the living expenses of students and their tuition, starting with the least well-off students, and moving steadily upwards.

3) Ottawa should be a full funding partner in supporting the base operations of colleges and universities and priorities for labour market training, apprenticeship, research and graduate education.

4) Apprenticeships should be recognized as a postsecondary destination, and apprenticeship programming delivered by colleges should be seen as a core focus of education policy.

5) We must ensure Aboriginal Canadians can reach their full potential –jobs in the natural resource sector are often going unfilled, for instance; we have to do a better job in ensuring opportunities for skilled trades and apprenticeships. Alberta resource sector companies have taken important steps in this direction.

6) We have to work harder to ensure that immigrants get jobs in their areas of expertise to help lessen the skills shortage. The Canadian economy loses $4-5 billion per year due to the credential recognition problem. We should also look at inland processing of applications from foreign students who want to stay and work in Canada.

7) A key source of growth is research and development. Yet this year’s federal budget was bereft of anything for the “excellence agenda”. We need a research and innovation strategy in Canada involving Ottawa, the provinces, universities, research institutes and the private sector. Universities must work with companies and venture capital to take the fruits of public research dollars to the market.

‘No tool can advance those causes the way our education system can and major change needs to be implemented now to serve current and future generations as they proceed first through school and then into work force. It must be a generational change but we must start now. These are investments and realignments we can’t afford not to make.

Maurizio Bevilacqua to Support Bob Rae's Leadership Campaign
Ottawa (August 14, 2006) - The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, Member of Parliament for Vaughan and candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, today announced that he will put his support behind Bob Rae’s campaign for the leadership of the party and act as National Co-Chair for the Campaign and as Bob Rae’s Chief Advisor on Economic Policy.

“Since joining the race for the leadership, my message to supporters and all party members has been that we need to renew our party and advance policies that will sustain Canada’s economic successes,” said Mr. Bevilacqua. “I advocated a pro-growth economic agenda that will improve Canadians’ standard of living and quality of life. An agenda that would secure prosperity for future generations as well as deal with the imminent challenges of our aging society and our response to emerging markets. In the end, however, I decided that the best way to continue to have the biggest impact on the nation’s fiscal and economic affairs was to support Bob Rae’s Campaign and work with him to advance our economic vision for the country. Bob and I share common objectives and concerns and I believe he is best able to help make our shared goals a reality, for our party and for Canada.”

“Maurizio Bevilacqua is an outstanding Parliamentarian, with over eighteen years of experience,” said Bob Rae. “He distinguished himself as Chairman of the House of Commons Finance Committee, leading pre-budget consultations that involved Canadians in the most important priority-setting process in government and had a direct influence on the Martin Budgets of late 1990s. He continued that work in Cabinet as Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development and for International Financial Institutions, working closely with Finance Minister Manley. He has always wanted to make the right choices for our country, not just for the current times but for the long-term. That is the kind of responsible and forward-thinking approach that Maurizio and I both want to restore to our national government.”

The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988 in the former riding of York North, reelected six times and today serves the new riding of Vaughan (Ontario). In 2002, he was named to Cabinet as Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) and as Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions). From 1997 to 2002 he was Chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.

Bob Rae Outlines Policy on First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Winnipeg (August 12, 2006) - Today Liberal Leadership candidate Bob Rae unveiled a 7-point plan for working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to expedite land claims processes, improve economic and social conditions on and off reserve, and recognize the Métis people as unique among Canada's aboriginal communities With their own distinctive culture and rights. Mr. Rae pledged to improve transparency and accountability of all governments in the administration of Aboriginal affairs, including the government of Canada.

Mr Rae also unveiled a "Northern Strategy" to expedite devolution, enhance opportunities for Aboriginal peoples in the North, and promote sustainability and conservation North of 60.

Mr. Rae stressed that the historic Kelowna Accord, signed by the Martin government, 13 provinces and territories and Canada's Aboriginal leaders, must be honoured by the Harper government because it was a solemn pledge by the Crown, arrived at through a careful and responsible process.

"Kelowna" is not just a word, or a "scrap of paper", as Mr. Harper would have us believe", commented Mr Rae.

"It is a foundation for reconciliation, a true partnership of equals, and a basis for the improvement of opportunity and living conditions for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The spirit, intent and funding commitments must be honoured."

Mr. Rae committed that a government led by him would:

* Provide adequate resources to expedite existing land-claim and self-government processes, and properly fund the implementation aspects of those agreements;

* Provide Aboriginal governments with greater revenue-raising capacity, facilitate their sharing in the benefits that flow from resource development, and ensure that internet access is provided as soon as possible to remote communities;

* Increase and focus federal funding on health (including Telehealth), infrastructure, housing, monitoring of water quality, and education, in particular by providing grants, bursaries and scholarships to ensure that no qualified Aboriginal student is denied the opportunity for post-secondary education;

* Noting that accountability is a "two-way street". Mr. Rae pledged to ensure the accountability of the government of Canada for expediting negotiations on outstanding claims, and through reporting publicly on outcomes for programs it administers on behalf of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. He also committed to reducing the paperwork burden that is imposed on Aboriginal communities by Ottawa. Finally, Mr. Rae committed to working with Aboriginal groups to help achieve high levels of transparency and accountability to their communities in the administration of their own affairs.

* Take a leadership role in working with provinces, Aboriginal groups, and service providers to help address the challenges facing Canada's urban aboriginal constituency, which were not adequately addressed in the Kelowna Accords; the challenges faced by Aboriginal women in urban areas require particular attention.

* Promote a Northern Strategy that would: Complete negotiations of devolution and resource revenue sharing agreements with the Territories, take concrete action on climate change, the effects of which are being felt most directly in the north, support a Protected Areas Strategy in tandem with pipeline development, and assist northern governments, including aboriginal governments, in addressing the education and training of their children and young people to prepare them for the developing northern economies;

* Implement an agreement that recognizes the Métis people as a distinctive society among Canada's aboriginal communities with a distinctive culture and rights. Mr. Rae endorsed the Canada-Métis Nation Framework Agreement, and committed to supporting Métis-specific programming.

Mr. Rae expressed optimism in saying that "we are on the verge of a new era in the relationship with Aboriginal peoples. Implementation of this 7-point strategy would help attain this promise."

Mr. Rae noted that "There is no turning back the page. Governments who think this is possible risk exhausting the good will that has begun, ushering in confrontation, and wasting an opportunity that matters to all Canadians. It is time to move forward, as equals, in partnership, and provide First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities the means and the authorities to take control of their destinies and realize a better future."

Bob Rae Visit to Northem Ontario
Timmins (August 11, 2006) - During a tour of Northern Ontario today as part of his campaign for the Liberal leadership, Bob Rae committed to work with communities to promote economic opportunity for citizens in all parts of Ontario and Canada. Bob Rae made the comments during a tour that is taking him to Timmins, where he is meeting with local Liberals, and to Thunder Bay where he will visit the Bombardier plant there and meet with supporters in the region.

‘I have worked with Northern Ontario communities and regional employers and industries, in government and since, and am proud of what we did to build partnerships that preserved jobs and economic opportunity in the North,’ said Bob Rae.

Mr. Rae noted in particular the importance of the softwood lumber file to northern Ontario communities. ‘As someone who has worked with the lumber and forest products industry in Timmins, I know the jobs that are at stake in these communities. As such I find it deplorable that the Conservative government has essentially told the softwood lumber industry that they will not stand with them in any ongoing dispute with the United States.’

During his tenure as Premier, Bob built partnerships with industry and workers that secured employment in the transportation sector and steel, notably at Bombardier’s Thunder Bay operation and at Algoma Steel to name just two. Bob also worked to expand post-secondary education and colleges in communities such as Timmins at Boreal College. In this campaign, Bob is speaking to the need for an economic policy that promotes prosperity and economic opportunity and recognizes that current economic prosperity cannot be taken for granted.

Bob Rae calls on government to reverse decision and participate in
multilateral efforts to end the escalation of violence in the Middle East
Toronto (July 29, 2006) - On July 17 I called on the government to go beyond words and work through the UN to address the escalating conflict on the border between Lebanon and Israel. I made it clear that Canada's efforts need to focus on the refusal of both Hezbollah and Hamas to recognize Israel's right to exist. These radical groups, clearly fuelled by money and other assistance from Iran and Syria, point to the biggest obstacle to peace. The suffering of the Israeli and Lebanese people cannot be allowed to continue. Israel has a right to defend itself. But the world and Canada have a role to play in preventing escalation of violence and stopping those who use violence and terror to threaten the right of Israel to exist. Further escalation is not in the interests either of the Lebanese people or Israel.

The Harper government has adopted a posture of non-involvement in diplomatic efforts. Mr. Harper also said this week there would be no commitment of Canadian forces.

This is irresponsible and inconsistent with the role Canada has played in past crises.

Canada needs to be a constructive participant on the world stage, not an indifferent spectator.

I again call on the Harper government to work at the UN and with allies to push for an immediate cease-fire and help develop a plan for an international presence on the border or on any supply lines that support Hezbollah with supplies of munitions.

Mr. Harper should reverse his position and begin to make use of the levers available to us. He also needs to seriously consider what contribution Canada can make to implementation of a plan developed with our allies.

It is our moral responsibility to provide diplomatic support to a peace process and a plan with such goals as stabilization and civilian reconstruction in Lebanon.

Bob Rae Proposes Measures for Party Reform and to Promote Participation of Women in the Liberal Party
Ottawa (July 2006) - Bob Rae today released proposals for Party reform and in particular reforms aimed at raising the participation of women in electoral politics and in roles of influence within the Liberal Party of Canada.

“In the words of Nellie McClung, ‘No nation rises higher than its women.’ We need to heed that advice,” said Bob Rae. “Over a decade ago, as Premier of Ontario, representation of women in my Cabinet was 42%. This is the highest ratio of women in Cabinet achieved by any "provincial" government in Canada, ever. It is essential that we strengthen the position of women within our Party and of all Canadian women in public life in order to win the next election and ensure their voice is strong and effective in Parliament.”

Bob Rae’s proposals consist of fourteen recommendations and commitments for reform of Party rules, federal elections financing laws as well as appointment procedures to federal bodies. These have been submitted to the Liberal Task Force on Women’s Issues, chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Anne McLellan. They are contained in the backgrounder.

Backgrounder: Bob Rae's Proposal on Party Reform
and Raising the Participation of Women in the Liberal Party of Canada

Bob Rae Announces Support in Prince Edward Island
Ottawa (July 13, 2006) - Bob Rae announced today that Carolyn Bertram, MLA for Crapaud-Hazel Grove, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, MP for Cardigan, will serve as the Co-Chairs for his Leadership Campaign in Prince Edward Island.

"I am pleased to announce my support for Bob Rae and that I will be taking an active role in his campaign, securing support for him in Prince Edward Island and Atlantic Canada," said Ms. Bertram. "As a teacher, I see Bob as a leader who understands the positive role government must play in ensuring opportunity for our citizens through learning and progressive policies that work for our children and our communities."

"Bob believes in policies and a vision that would be good for Atlantic Canada and Canada as a whole," said Mr. MacAulay. "During his recent visit to Prince Edward Island, he demonstrated his ability to connect with people and speak to their concerns. I am pleased to throw my efforts behind his campaign for leader of our party."

"Carolyn Bertram and Lawrence MacAulay are distinguished Islanders with strong records of public service," said Bob Rae. "I am pleased that they will take a senior role in our campaign and that the response my campaign received in the province during my recent visits has been so strong. It is another sign of the support our campaign is receiving in Atlantic Canada. People there want a strong national government that defends the interests of Canadians in all regions and that is the leadership we want to restore to Ottawa."

Carolyn Bertram is a school teacher and community-minded representative for the people of Crapaud-Hazel Grove. She is the Opposition Critic for Education and also serves as the Critic for Tourism, the Status of Women and Community and Cultural Affairs. Fluently bilingual, she is also the critic for Acadian and Francophone Affairs. She has a BA from the University of Prince Edward Island and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Mount St. Vincent University. She resides in Hazel Grove.

Lawrence MacAulay was previously Canada's Solicitor General. He was first elected in 1988 and has been re-elected five times. He also served as federal Minister of Labour, Secretary of State (Veterans) and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). In addition, he chaired the Atlantic Caucus. Lawrence was previously a farmer and businessman.

Rae Campaign Reaches First Milestone
With A Strong Showing Across Canada
Ottawa (July 4, 2006) – The Bob Rae campaign completed a successful membership drive today as it turned in membership forms to party offices across the country.

"In the two months since launching our campaign, we have successfully built a national organization with experienced organizers in each province,” said Bob Rae. “As a result we are running a truly national campaign that is competitive in every region of every province and we are seeing that reflected today with new memberships across Canada."

Bob has crossed the country impressing Liberals with his in-depth understanding of the country and the challenges we face and his ability to communicate and connect with individual Canadians. The Rae strategy has been to reach out to existing members of the Liberal Party while bringing in new ones. We have been successful in both regards drawing significant crowds across Canada. Bob has drawn crowds of over 300 at his Québec campaign launch in Montréal, almost 400 at a recent event in Vancouver, more than 100 in Ottawa and Winnipeg, some 100 in London and Kitchener, and St. Jacob’s, Ont., 40 in Cobourg, Ont., and 50 in Moncton, to name a few.

He has also secured the support of influential leaders in the Party: including former federal Cabinet Ministers such as Allan MacEachen, Monique Bégin, Christine Stewart, Jane Stewart, Martin Cauchon, Herb Dhaliwal, Jacques Saada, Gar Knutson as well as former Ontario Liberal leader Bob Nixon, Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara and Health Minister George Smitherman. Current MPs Irwin Cotler, Lawrence MacAulay, Brian Murphy and Ujjal Dosanjh and Senators Joan Cook, Mobina Jaffer, Pierrette Ringuette, Mac Harb, Jim Munson, Colin Kenny, Bill Rompkey, Michel Biron, Pierre DeBané, and former Senators Raymond Setlakwe and Leo Kolber. Regional support for Bob includes former provincial cabinet Ministers Walter Noel (NL), Patty Sahota (BC) and Chris Axworthy (SK) and current MLAs Kevin Lamoureux (MB) and Mike Murphy (NB).

We expect to build on our existing support in the next phase as more and more Liberals meet Bob and learn first-hand about his vision and values. Bob’s commitment to prosperity and opportunity, an independent foreign policy, the Kyoto Protocol, the Kelowna Accord, health care, a national catastrophic drugs plan and a trade policy that defends Canada’s interests resonate with Liberals from coast to coast to coast. When people meet Bob they recognize how his extraordinary record has prepared him for leadership and also how his approach as a mediator, someone who builds trust and understanding, makes him eminently qualified to be Canada’s next Prime Minister.

Herb Dhaliwal to Support Bob Rae for the Liberal Leadership
Ottawa (June 29, 2006) –The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal announced today that he will be supporting Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I have worked closely with Bob Rae and have tremendous respect for the quality of his work and his contribution to public life,” said Mr. Dhaliwal. “It is not only his professional record or his experience in a range of files reaching across the country that is so impressive. It is also his understanding of the diverse issues and concerns of Canadians that has made him so effective at building trust and resolving the tough issues of the day. That is precisely what Canada needs in its leaders and what Bob Rae can bring to the office of the Prime Minister.”

“Herb Dhaliwal is a veteran in the Liberal Party, one of its strongest voices, and it is a tremendous boost to have his support,” said Bob Rae. “Together, with Liberals throughout British Columbia, we are building a movement that is focused on renewing the Liberal party, building on its core values and speaking to the concerns of Canadians. We have a strong organization, from coast to coast to coast and I am particularly pleased with the support we are seeing in British Columbia.”

Herb Dhaliwal was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993, and was twice re-elected, serving the riding of Vancouver-South-Burnaby. He served as federal Minister of Revenue, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister of Natural Resources as well as Minister responsible for British Columbia. Mr. Dhaliwal was born in Chiheru, Punjab in 1952, and came to Canada in 1958. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and prior to entering elected office was a successful businessman and entrepreneur, specializing in transportation, maintenance, and real estate development.

Former Union Leader Dave Haggard Dectares for Bob Rae
Two-time Liberal Candidate and former Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers of Canada, (IWA) President Dave Haggard has declared his support for Federal Liberal Leadership Candidate Bob Rae.

“I have thought long and hard about this, I have looked at all the candidates and I have now concluded that Bob Rae is the best candidate to lead the Liberal Party of Canada,” Haggard said.

“Bob is the most qualified of the candidates, he has governed under very tough circumstances, he has served this country in a multitude of roles and his combination of vision and experience will be very attractive to Canadians from all walks of life.”

Haggard added, “Bob Rae understands Canada and it’s role internationally. He understands working people, the economy, business and labour. He is dedicated to making Canada a better place—a progressive and centrist country with a clear sense of itself in today’s complex world.”

Haggard concluded saying, “I look forward to working with the Bob Rae Team to elect Bob the next Prime Minister of Canada.”

Monique Bégin to support Bob Rae for the Liberal Leadership
Ottawa (June 26, 2006) - The Bob Rae campaign is proud to announce today the support of the Honourable Monique Bégin, former Minister of Health and Welfare and an acclaimed academic.

"Bob Rae has been at the forefront of progressive public policy in Canada for over thirty years. He has this country in his bones,” said Dr. Bégin. “I am proud to stand with him in this race, and he will make a great Liberal Prime Minister".

"I am very proud to welcome the support of Monique Bégin, one of the Liberal party’s and Canada’s leaders in the fields of health care, social policy and the status of women,” said Mr. Rae. "Throughout her career Monique has spoken out with passion and intellectual rigor on a wide range of public policy issues in the interest of individual Canadians from coast to coast to coast."

Dr. Monique Bégin was the first woman elected to the House of Commons from Quebec. Elected in 1972, she went on to become Minister of Health and Welfare, where she is best known for the introduction of the Canada Health Act (1984). After leaving politics she taught at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University where she was the first holder of the Joint Chair in Women's Studies. She also co-Chaired the Royal Commission on Learning of Ontario and in 1998 was named to the Order of Canada. In 2005 Dr. Bégin was appointed by the World Health Organization to be a member of the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.

Christine Stewart to Support Bob Rae for the Liberal Leadership
Ottawa (June 22, 2006) – Today, the Honourable Christine Stewart, former federal Minister of the Environment announced her support for Bob Rae in the race for the federal Liberal leadership.

"'Bob Rae understands the challenges facing Canada in both domestic and foreign affairs," said Ms. Stewart. "He has experience in governing, managing and leading. He believes strongly in the policy process and developing policies that work for Canadians and he is deeply committed to seeing Canada succeed."

'"Christine Stewart has always stood for the best in Canadian ideals and values, at home and as a representative abroad,” said Bob Rae. “I thank her for her support and for the assistance she is giving to my campaign as we work in Ontario and across Canada to restore and indeed renew the important values and traditions that the Liberal Party has defended over the years."

Christine Stewart is working to support Bob in the riding of Northumberland and hosted an event for him during his recent trip to Cobourg.

Elected to Parliament in 1988 for the Ontario riding of Northumberland, Ms. Stewart served as an MP for 12 years. She was Minister of the Environment from 1997 to 1999 and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) from 1993 to 1997.

She graduated from the Nursing program at the University of Toronto and later lived in Honduras with her family where she worked on development projects with Horizons of Friendships, an NGO she helped found.

After leaving politics in 2000, she accepted the post of special envoy to the secretary general of the Commonwealth.

Danny Dumaresque to Support Bob Rae for the Liberal Leadership
Ottawa (June 22, 2006) –Today the Bob Rae Campaign announced that Danny Dumaresque, President of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, is supporting Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

"I have met and talked to Bob Rae, and I am impressed by his knowledge of the issues facing this province and Canada.  I am convinced that he has the experience and courage to challenge the affront to social justice and individual rights by the government of today" said Mr. Dumaresque. "His view of Canada will ensure all regions are respected because government must help ensure opportunity for Canadians from coast to coast." 

Danny served for 7 years in the provincial legislature and was Parliamentary Secretary to Premier Clyde Wells.  For the past 10 years he has built a successful international seafood business as the owner and operator of Labrador Gem Seafoods.

He joins Walter Noel, the Bob Rae Campaign's Chief Organizer for the province, among Bob's leading supporters in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Mr. Noel is a native of St. John's and was previously the province's Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, in addition to holding several other ministerial posts.

Senator Joan Cook, a native of English Harbour West, Newfoundland, and Bill Rompkey, Senator for North West River Labrador, are also supporters of Bob.

Lawrence MacAulay to Support Bob Rae for the Liberal Leadership
Ottawa (June 20, 2006) – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Member of Parliament for Cardigan (PEI) announced today that he will support Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I feel very confident in supporting Bob Rae as he certainly projects ideas and a vision that would be good for Atlantic Canada in particular and Canada in general,” said Mr. MacAulay.

“I am delighted to have Lawrence’s support,” said Bob Rae. “He is a long-standing Member of Parliament with an excellent record of service to Atlantic Canada. Together we must ensure Atlantic Canada is a full partner with the federal government in working to achieve national objectives.”

The Bob Rae Campaign is proud to welcome such a senior and well-respected member of Caucus to its ranks.

Lawrence MacAulay was previously Canada’s Solicitor General. He was first elected in 1988 having defeated Pat Binns, and has been re-elected five times. He also served Canada as Minister of Labour, Secretary of State (Veterans) and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and as Associate Critic for Fisheries and Oceans and was Official Opposition Critic for Seniors. In addition, he chaired the Atlantic Caucus. Lawrence was previously a farmer and businessman.

Robert Nixon, formerTreasurer and Ontario
Liberal Leader, Endorses Bob Rae
Ottawa, June 14, 2006 - The Honourable Robert Nixon, former leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and former provincial Treasurer, today announced his support for Bob Rae for Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

"I am honoured to support your candidacy," said Mr. Nixon. "I look forward to seeing you become Liberal Leader …and eventually Prime Minister of Canada."

Robert Nixon has a distinguished career in public service, serving as MPP for Brant from 1962 to 1991. He was also chairman of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.

Mr. Nixon and Mr. Rae were both attending the Brantford convocation of Wilfrid Laurier University this afternoon, where Mr. Nixon received an honorary degree.

Irwin Cotler and Ujjal Dosanjh Support
Bob Rae for the Liberal Leadership
Ottawa, June 12, 2006 – The Honourable Irwin Cotler, Member of Parliament for Mount Royal (Quebec) and the Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South (B.C.), announced today that they will support Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“Bob Rae has a range of experience and expertise in both domestic and foreign policy that commend his candidacy – including as a parliamentarian in the federal and provincial legislatures,” said Mr. Cotler. “He is a long-time friend whom I respect as a creative thinker and practitioner in matters of federalism, rights, social justice and public policy.”

"In my view, Bob Rae offers the experience, integrity, and vision that the Liberal Party needs at this critical juncture in its history," said Mr. Dosanjh. "Bob knows Canada, he knows our values, and throughout his career in public life he has shown true leadership and a singular capacity to bring people together to achieve positive results."

Both men are long-time defenders of human rights and social justice and the Bob Rae campaign is very proud to count them as supporters.

Irwin Cotler served as Minister of Justice and was elected for the first time in 1999. He is recognized around the world as an advocate for human rights on the international scene. He has defended former prisoners of conscience in the former Soviet Union (Andrei Sakharov) and South Africa (Nelson Mandela). He is currently on leave from his post as professor of law at the University of McGill.

Ujjal Dosanjh served as federal Minister of Health from July 2004 to February 2006. Prior to his election to the federal Parliament, he spent ten years as an MLA in British Columbia's Provincial Legislature. During this time he held multiple cabinet portfolios, most notably serving as Attorney General of B.C. for a period of nearly five years. In 2000 Mr. Dosanjh became the 33rd Premier of British Columbia. Mr. Dosanjh was born in India and emigrated to Canada in 1968. Before entering politics, Mr. Dosanjh was a successful practicing lawyer and a long-time human rights and social justice advocate.

BC Leaders embrace Bob Rae
Toronto, June 8, 2006 — Today the Bob Rae Campaign welcomed the support of former Vancouver City Councillor May Brown and former Minister of State Patty Sahota.

May Brown has demonstrated extensive leadership in the city of Vancouver and around the province. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia recognizing her contributions over the years in teaching, physical education, sports and public service to British Columbia and Canada. May Brown has been a senior advisor, campaign chair and tireless volunteer for the Liberal Party under successive leaders.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Bob Rae is the most qualified candidate to lead the Liberal Party of Canada - he has experience leading a government and a political party,” said Ms. Brown. "Few people in our society have the experience that he has in dealing with issues that are important to Canadians - at the local, national and international level. Bob Rae is job ready. I believe he is the candidate who can win the country.”

Patty Sahota was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2001, and served as Minister of State for Resort Development. She has been engaged in community development, women’s issues, policing issues and economic development.

“I first worked with Bob in 2004 when he and I were panellists at the Council of the Federation Conference,” said Ms. Sahota. “As BC's representative, I was immediately impressed by his commitment to involving young people in the political process. As a former MLA and cabinet minister, I see Bob's experience in government as legislator and Premier as a real plus and his public service since leaving politics has been exemplary.”

Both women represent experience in public service in British Columbia and speak to the strong and the growing support for the candidacy of Bob Rae for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada from all parts of the country.

Bob Rae Outlines Vision for Prosperity and Opportunity
In a speech today before the Economic Club of Toronto, Bob Rae outlined an economic policy plan that seeks to build upon Canada's strengths and make Canada's economy innovative, productive, sustainable and ensure it delivers opportunity for more Canadians to participate in the economy.

An Education, Training and Research Strategy: education, training, commercialization and ready access to the Internet are foundational elements of an innovation agenda for Canada, and must re-emerge as priorities of the national government. Mr. Rae proposes among other things revamping the Canada Student loans program to provide more direct aid to students for living expenses, direct federal support for university research, promotion of apprenticeships, and greater recognition of foreign credentials.

Strategic Investments in Green infrastructure: forward-looking and progressive investments that will help keep our national economy moving, promote innovation, help Canada meet Kyoto objectives, and keep our prosperity and competitiveness on an environmentally sustainable footing.

Renewing the Architecture for Income Security: working with Provinces to eliminate "welfare walls" and "poverty traps" caused by our current EI and welfare systems so that all who are able to participate in our economy can do so with dignity and pride. Bob indicates support for the directions laid out in the recent City Summit Alliance on this topic.

A Smart Tax and Smarter Regulation Agenda: including balanced budgets, lower income taxes, a simpler and greener tax system, competitive corporate taxes, and better use of the regulatory and procurement apparatus of government to provide more opportunity and fewer impediments for SME's. Mr. Rae assailed the current Conservative government's budget plan as an unfocused "grab bag" of measures, which he believes is both regressive and complicates a tax system that is already overly complex.

Bob Rae's campaign for leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada is setting forth an achievable agenda for Canada in the 21st Century that promotes prosperity, sustainability, shared opportunity, and a positive role for governments. This agenda will put Canada and Canadians on track to compete and thrive in the global economy of the 21st Century.

Chris Axworthy Joins Team Rae
Chris Axworthy, a former Member of both the federal and provincial legislatures, has signed on to Bob Rae's campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada as Chair of his campaign in Saskatchewan.

"Bob Rae and I come from a similar progressive vantage point," explained Mr. Axworthy. "We share a passion for speaking out for the little guy, for putting policies and programs in place that will allow Canadians from different social and economic backgrounds to succeed."

Chris Axworthy was a Member of Parliament from 1988 to 1997. Elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 1999, he served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Province of Saskatchewan. In 2003 Chris returned to the University of Saskatchewan as a Professor of Law, a position he currently occupies.

"Having been active both federally and provincially, Chris brings a unique perspective to our team," stated Bob Rae. "He will help ensure the concerns and the values of Western Canadians are reflected in our policies and programs. We are delighted to have him on board."

Team Rae is picking up momentum in Saskatchewan. Earlier in the week Tiffany Rutetzke and Justin Neustaeter, President and Vice-President of University of Regina Young Liberals joined Team Rae.

Senate support builds for Bob Rae
Bob Rae's campaign has picked up more speed as Senators from four different provinces declare their support for his candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Senate supporters include the Honourable William Rompkey of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Hon. Pierre deBané, and the Hon. Michel Biron of Quebec, the Hon. Colin Kenny of Ontario and the Hon. Mobina Jaffer of British Columbia. Earlier this month Bob Rae was endorsed by the Hon.Jim Munson.

"All of us are convinced that Mr. Rae is without a doubt, the right man at the right time to lead the Liberal Party against Stephen Harper's Conservatives," said Senator Rompkey. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated that he has a national vision while being sensitive to our regional needs and differences."

Senator Jaffer served as Vice-President of the Liberal Party and as President of the National Women's Commission. She continues to work on bringing women and minorities into the political process and believes Bob shares that commitment. "Bob Rae's Canada is inclusive. I am convinced that as leader of our Party and eventually as Prime Minister he will continue to reach out to Canadians from different backgrounds and walks of life. His values are our values," added Senator Jaffer.

"I am grateful for the support of these distinguished Parliamentarians, who have deep roots in our Party and in different communities and regions of our country," stated Mr. Rae. "With their help we will develop policies and programs that are fiscally responsible and socially progressive."

Aboriginal leader Roy Bluehom assumes key role
in Bob Rae's campaign to lead federal Liberals
Bob Rae is delighted to announce that Roy Bluehorn, former Executive Director of Land and Resources for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, has been named as First Nations’ Outreach, Prairies, for Rae’s campaign to lead the Federal Liberal Party of Canada.

Mr. Bluehorn has been a leader in Saskatchewan’s aboriginal youth community for more than a decade. As President of the Indigenous Student Council at the University of Saskatchewan, Bluehorn’s objective was to encourage students to stay in school and help them find work and a place to live. In 2005, Bluehorn helped found Shout! Magazine, a publication geared towards aboriginal youth. Up until recently he was in charge of Marketing and Communications with the magazine.

Bluehorn worked with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations from 1994 until 2003. As Executive Director of the Land and Resources Department of the Federation, Bluehorn worked to bridge the gap between band leaders and the federal government. He believes Bob Rae has a strong sense of justice and is the kind of leader that can also bridge gaps and create consensus.

“Bob Rae recognizes how critical the Kelowna Accord is to Aboriginal people in Canada and has been unequivocal in his criticism of the Harper government’s abandonment of the deal. He has an innate understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Aboriginals today, particularly young people,” said Mr. Bluehorn. “I am very pleased to support Bob Rae’s candidacy for Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada”.

“Roy has an outstanding record of public service,” said Bob Rae, “He is an effective and committed advocate and a valuable role model for Aboriginal youth in Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada. I am proud to have him as part of my team.”

Senator Pierrette Ringuette joins Team Rae
Team Rae gained momentum in New Brunswick today with Senator Pierrette Ringuette’s endorsement of Bob Rae’s candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. After attending a Bob Rae event last week, the Senator knew she had found the candidate she wanted to support for the Leadership Race.

“I was inspired after hearing him speak. I had not heard someone deliver such an excellent political speech for several years. His perspectives stand out from the others and that’s why I knew I had to fully support his candidacy” declared Senator Ringuette. “He is committed to building a Canada, which is inclusive and provides opportunities for Canadians of all backgrounds”

“As a New Brunswicker, I have always looked up for leaders that can understand our reality and that can bring forward positive changes for our future. Bob Rae is that person.” said Senator Ringuette. “He has consistently spoken out in support of minority rights and for policies that favour the less fortunate in our society while promoting sound economics for the business communities. He also fully understands the needs for both urban and rural regions of our country.”

“I am proud to announce that I will be throwing all my energy and support behind the candidacy of Bob Rae. He is the candidate who, I am convinced, will be the next Prime Minister of Canada” stated Senator Ringuette.

Tiffany Rutetzki declares support for Bob Rae
Born in Ontario, raised in Regina and all of twenty years old, Tiffany Mary Anne Rutetzki is Saskatchewan Youth Chair for the Bob Rae Federal Liberal Leadership campaign.

Rutetzki is also the newly-elected President of the University of Regina’s Young Liberal Association and its first female president (as far as anyone can remember). She is currently in her third year of Business Administration specializing in Marketing at the University of Regina.

In addition to full-time studies and a job at the student newspaper The Carillon, Rutetzki is developing the Regina chapter of My Future Is Here, an organization devoted to keeping youth learning and working in Saskatchewan through funding for youth scholarships and business capital funds.

“I am passionate about politics and above all, proud and honored to be a Liberal. With Bob Rae's experience, intelligence and deep concern for the interests of all Canadian citizens, I am confident he is the right choice to be the future leader of our great nation.” Rutetzki says.

Bob Rae campaign team nets
high-profile francophone affairs advocate
Ronald F. Caza, a partner with Heenan Blaikie in Ottawa, is the newest top-drawer recruit to the rapidly expanding team supporting Bob Rae in his bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. Mr. Caza joins the campaign organization as Chair of Francophone Communities outside of Quebec. A widely-recognized and highly-regarded community activist and advocate for minority and in particular, Francophone rights his expertise extends nationally and internationally.

“There is no worthier candidate than Bob Rae to lead the country”, says Caza “His commitment to the equality of opportunity for all citizens and his track record on minority rights is impressive. He has the most experience in governing, the greatest understanding of the fundamental policy questions facing Canadians today, and proven integrity in holding fast to his vision. I have no doubt that Rae is the person that can and will take the Liberal Party forward to continued electoral success.”

“Ron’s willingness to take on such an important position speaks volumes to the commitment we share to the protection and enhancement of minority language rights throughout Canada,” says Rae. “I look forward to working closely with Ron as we build a strong Party from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and community by community.”

Ron Caza has been practising advocacy in both official languages since his call to the Bar of the Province of Ontario in 1989. He was with the law firm of Nelligan O'Brien Payne for 15 years prior to joining Heenan Blaikie, where he is a member of the firm's National Management Committee.

Mr. Caza focuses on civil litigation in all areas including constitutional law, religious and other organizations’ defence pertaining to cases of abuse, employment law, personal injury lawsuits, breach of business contracts and administrative law.

For nine years, Mr. Caza lectured on civil procedure at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ottawa, in the French language Common Law section. He was responsible for the Civil Litigation component at the Bar Admission Course (Francophone section) in Ottawa for the years 2001 - 2005.

In addition to his law practice, Mr. Caza is active in professional and social associations. A former director of the Montfort Hospital, he was chairman of the Board for United Way/Centraide Ottawa. He chaired the organizing committee for four annual conventions of the Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario.

For the last ten years or so, he has been one of the organizers of the Laskin Moot Competition (national bilingual competition for law faculties). Mr. Caza is past president of the Social Planning Council of Ottawa-Carleton and of the Centre parascolaire des pionniers. He is now vice-chair of the board of directors of the Fondation franco-ontarienne and a member of the board of Christie Lake Kids.

In 2000, Mr. Caza was the recipient of the Grandmaître prize for his involvement in the Franco-Ontarian community of Ottawa.

In 2004, Mr. Caza received the Order of La Pléiade from the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Francophones of all regions. In 2005, he was made a member of the Ordre de la Francophonie de Prescott et Russell, in recognition of his dedication to the defence of French-speaking minorities.

In 2006, Mr. Caza, received the Richelieu International Medal in recognition of his work in the promotion, development and the protection of the rights of French speakers in Ontario.

Canada, Quebec, and Progressive Federalism
Remarks for Quebec Launch of Liberal Leadership Campaign,
Montreal, May 17, 2006

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Kevin Lamoureux, prairies longest-serving Liberal MLA,
declares support for Bob Rae
Kevin Lamoureux, Manitoba MLA and Deputy Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party as well as critic for Justice, Immigration and Housing, has declared his support for Bob Rae in the leadership for the Federal Liberal Party.

"During his recent visit to Winnipeg, Bob impressed me with his deep understanding of the Prairies and the challenges we face and with his commitment to building an inclusive and forward-looking society,” explained Mr. Lamoureux. “I will be campaigning for Bob because I believe he understands and represents what Canada is all about. We need a Prime Minister who is compassionate and has the experience to deal with Canada's needs for today and tomorrow.”

“Throughout his career Kevin has been an informed and effective voice for Manitobans, and I will benefit from his counsel as well as his wisdom during this campaign and beyond,” noted Mr. Rae. “Both of us are committed to renewing our Party and to developing programs and policies that are fiscally responsible and socially progressive. ”

Currently the longest-serving Liberal MLA in the Prairies, Lamoureux was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in April 1988. He was re-elected in 1990, 1995 and again in June 2003.

Over the years Lamoureux has served in many different party portfolios in addition to Deputy Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, including House Leader, Party Whip, and Party Manager.

Sheila Gervais declares support for Bob Rae
Sheila Gervais is a former National Director of the Liberal Party of Canada, having served in that capacity under the Rt. Hon. John Turner and Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien. She served on national campaign committees in 1984, 1988, 1993 and 1997. She ran her first local campaign in 1977 at the age of 19, and worked on Parliament Hill in the early 80’s. Joining the National Office in 1985, Sheila worked as Manager of Constituency Services, Director of Organization, National Director and Secretary General of several National Conventions including the 1990 Leadership Convention held in Calgary. From 1997 to 2004 she was Director of Government Relations for CBC/Radio-Canada and before that an advertising executive and communications strategist.

Sheila on Bob Rae: "The clear impression one is left with after meeting Bob is that he is a leader. His relaxed, non-doctrinaire and consensual approach to politics fits exactly with where I believe most Liberals and Canadians are. He has a superb sense of “party” having led a party, an opposition caucus and a Government. He knows that the real force behind any successful political movement is the people at the bottom of the pyramid: the members, campaign workers, the foot soldiers. But what inspired me the most to join Bob’s team is his commitment to public service. He is ready, willing and able once again to serve. I believe that is in all of our best interests."

AllanJ. MacEachen declares support for Bob Rae
The Honourable Allan J. MacEachen, Canada’s first Deputy Prime Minister and a devoted parliamentarian for more than four decades, is throwing his support behind The Honourable Bob Rae in his bid to become the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“Bob Rae provides a vision for Canada that is all-inclusive, generous, fiscally responsible and socially progressive,” says Mr. MacEachen.

Mr. MacEachen was first elected to the House of Commons in 1953 under Prime Minister Louise St-Laurent. MacEachen is well recognized for his passionate commitment to democratic values as a means to achieve a just and humane world, and was tellingly honoured in 1995 with an anthology of essays titled ‘In Pursuit of the Public Good’. In 1997, Bob Rae was honoured to have been selected to give the inaugural Allan MacEachen Lecture at St. Francis Xavier University.

Mr. MacEachen served under Lester B. Pearson, who appointed MacEachen to his first cabinet post as Minister of Labour. Subsequently serving under Pierre Elliot Trudeau and John Turner, MacEachen’s depth of cabinet experience included postings in National Health and Welfare, Manpower and Immigration, the Privy Council, External Affairs and Finance. MacEachen was summoned to the Senate in 1984, where he served until his retirement in 1996.

Bob Rae says: “I am humbled by the support of this great Canadian. Allan J. MacEachen symbolizes all that is good and right in the Liberal Party. I can only aspire to reflect the values and ideals that Alan used as guiding principles during his distinguished career in politics.”

Statement by the Honourable Bob Rae on The Kelowna Accord
The Kelowna Accord was the culmination of a long process of sincere discussion and negotiation on the part of Prime Minister Paul Martin, all the Premiers and the leadership of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. It is a comprehensive plan that addresses the quality of life gap between native and non-native Canadians.

Premier Gordon Campbell was right when he said that the Accord constituted an historic moment. He was also right when he said it was a solemn commitment of the Crown, not something to be tossed aside in a moment of partisan whimsy.

The spin masters in Mr Harper's entourage have been working overtime. The Minister of Immigration said it was written on the back of a napkin in the middle of the election. Wrong on all counts. Others have dismissed it, distancing the new government from any of its commitments.

Canadians should not listen to this propaganda.

A commitment of the Crown should bind the Crown. Period. To walk away from it is disgraceful. It dishonours the undertaking not of one politician or another, but thirteen first ministers binding their governments to meet their responsibilities.

The Harper Conservatives should be ashamed of themselves - to walk away and pretend the commitments mean nothing will further undermine the relationship between all Canadian governments and Canada's Métis, Inuit and First Nations.

It cheapens the political process, and in practical terms deprives Aboriginal people of services, housing, education, and the recognition they constitutionally deserve.

Nothing shows so clearly that Mr Harper "don't get it". When majorities abuse power, ignore their obligations, and assume arrogantly that all previous commitments can be broken, they deserve to be called to account.

Saadato Chair Quebec
Jacques Saada, former Member of Parliament for Brossard-La Prairie and a former Cabinet Minster, has signed on as Chair of Bob’s campaign in Quebec. “Jacques has deep roots in our Party and has distinguished himself over the last 20 years as a man of principle. He has been a strong voice for Quebec in Ottawa. I am delighted to have him on our team and grateful for his support.” In commenting on his decision to join Team Rae, Jacques stated, “Bob’s record including his support for Meech Lake and Charlottetown show that he is a friend of Quebec and understands both the aspirations of Quebecers and our unique role within Canada. He will make a great leader of our Party.”

Isabel Metcalfe has joined the Bob Rae Campaign
Isabel Metcalfe has joined the Bob Rae Campaign with responsibility for the participation of women in our campaign and in the future of our Party. Isabel is well respected in the Liberal Party of Canada, having served three Prime Ministers on Parliament Hill, as a riding president, as the former Executive Vice-President of LPCO, as a senior campaign organizer, and as a candidate in the 2005/06 election. She is known as a tireless worker on behalf of women in our party and in our country. She was co-chair of the Famous Five Committee in Ottawa and successfully spearheaded the installation of the Famous statue on Parliament Hill and the placement of the Famous Five on the $50 bill. Isabel is a mother of three and a grandmother of one and a bit. In her professional life, Isabel’s expertise extends to cultural and aboriginal issues.

Isabel on Bob Rae: “I enthusiastically support Bob Rae as the future Leader of our Party because of his enduring, principled and demonstrable commitment to the full inclusion of women in public life and in society. His vision for the country reflects our Liberal values. His history in nation building demonstrates honesty, commitment, energy and common sense.”