by Jefferson Mesidor

Created on: May 27, 2008   Last Updated: June 06, 2008

As the party that formed Canada's government for most of the past century, the Liberal Party of Canada was definitely viewed as the party that best represented the diverse nature of the Canadian people. With charismatic and dynamic party leaders such as Pierre Trudeau and the implementation of the Canada Act of 1982 the party was considered by most Canadians to be the most progressive forward thinking party in Canadian history.

However, since the electrifying liberal party convention of December 2006, in which Stphane Dion became the new party leader, the liberal party has become completely embroiled with controversy, disunity, and is suffering from what some people may call an identity crisis.
As a result, the embittered liberal party has allowed Stephen Harper as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative party to maneuver through parliament like a bulldozer, introducing new policies and budgets almost at will.

Stephen Harper's brilliant political maneuvering has caused chaos within the liberal party, and has chattered the impregnable image of the party that was once perceived as indestructible. The lack of opposition power has completely shattered the confidence of the liberal party within its leader, and his leadership ability.

To continue, the beleaguered liberal party is now searching for answers and strategies on how to regain their former glory and form Canada's next government. Many party MP's and members are busy looking for answers outside the party, or to other potential leaders within the party. This could be the party's biggest mistake.

It's important to note that Stphane Dion is an accomplished politician and an intellectual, and should not be under estimated. He possesses a passion to make a difference, create change, a fervor for justice, and a strong will and determination to become Canada's next Prime Minister. Such passion, drive and experience cannot be discounted.

In fact, great leaders are often people who rise up from the ashes of controversy. Times of controversy and uncertainty seem to create a platform form for these emerging leaders. For example, the development of World War II created a time period of great uncertainty, uneasiness and fear around the world.

Meanwhile, in the midst of such dark times, controversy, and what looked at times like defeat to the people of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Winston Churchill emerged to inspire and unite a generation of people through some of the darkest moments of the past century and becomes one of history's greatest leaders.

Above all, great leaders are those men and woman who can take controversy and turn them into great opportunities, and the problems of the liberal party have created an outstanding opportunity for Stphane Dion.

Consequently, this is Stphane Dion's defining moment as a leader, and how he reacts to the controversy within his party, will define him as leader. If he can emerge from the ashes of controversy to unite, inspire and establish a new sense of direction and identity for his party then he has a chance to capture the hearts of Canadians, inspire a nation, and quite possibly become Canada's next Prime Minister.

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