Dion wins Canadian Liberal leadership on fourth ballot
{{date|December 2, 2006}}
[[Image:Stephane dion rally.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Stephane Dion, at a Friday rally.]]
[[Image:Dion 2006 Liberal leadership winner.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Stéphane Dion, making his acceptance speech after winning the party leadership. Visible behind him are Scott Brison, Joe Volpe, Martha Hall Findlay, and Ken Dryden.]]
[[w:Stéphane Dion|Stephane Dion]] has won the leadership of the [[w:Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party of Canada]] today at [[w:Palais des congrès de Montréal|Palais des congrès de Montréal]] with 2,521 (54.7%) votes to former Harvard academic [[w:Michael Ignatieff|Michael Ignatieff]] with 2,084 (45.3%) votes. Dion entered the convention as a [[w:dark horse|dark horse]] but surged past three other candidates to win on the fourth ballot.

The Liberal party dominated politics in Canada for the past century. The Conservative party won government in a January 2006 election held amid a desire for regime change and a patronage scandal in mostly French-speaking Quebec.

"Stephen, if you're listening, we are counting the days until the next election," Dion told Conservative Prime Minister [[w:Stephen Harper|Stephen Harper]] during his victory speech.

"What started as a network of loyal supporters and became a movement reaching every territory and province in our country. This movement ended in the great honour you have given me today," he told his party's convention after the results were announced.

"The most exciting race in the history of our party is over," Dion, a former environment minister, told the 5,000 party delegates. "Let's get ready for the election."

Taking aim at the [[w:Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] [[w:minority government|minority government]] of [[w:Stephen Harper|Stephen Harper]], Dion told the crowd and a national television audience, "We do not believe the Conservatives have bad intentions; we simply believe they lead to bad results." 

Dion's come-from-behind victory was a surprise to many observers and much of the media who had expected Ignatieff or former Ontario premier [[w:Bob Rae|Bob Rae]] to win. Dion was in fourth place in terms of committed delegates who had been elected by local [[w:riding association|riding associations]] but was able to place third in the first ballot, edging former Ontario education minister [[w:Gerard Kennedy|Gerard Kennedy]] by two votes, due to the support of ex-officio delegates who were free to support any candidate. 

Rae appeared to have momentum due to the support of several former candidates and was well-positioned immediately after the second ballot when fifth-place [[w:Ken Dryden|Ken Dryden]] threw his support to the former Ontario premier.  The decision by Kennedy to withdraw and endorse Dion changed the convention's dynamic and gave Dion enough momentum to vault over Rae and Ignatieff to place first on the third ballot. Rae was eliminated and did not publicly endorse either of the remaining candidates but the victory of Dion was nevertheless seen as inevitable at this point by many observers, particularly as a number of Rae's high-profile supporters such as former finance minister [[w:Ralph Goodale|Ralph Goodale]] and former candidates Volpe and Dryden threw their support to Dion. 

His campaign emphasized the environment (particularly support for the [[w:Kyoto Accord#Position of Canada|Kyoto Accord]] which has been rejected by the Conservative government), sustainable development, and social justice.

[[Image:Stéphane Dion campaign logo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Stephane Dion's official campaign logo.]]
Dion, 51, was a professor at the [[w:Université de Montréal|University of Montréal]] when he was recruited by then prime minister [[w:Jean Chretien|Jean Chretien]] to run for the Liberals in a 1996 by-election. In a rare move, since repeated by the Conservatives, Dion was appointed to [[w:Canadian Cabinet|Cabinet]] without having won a seat in the House of Commons. He won the by-election and served as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs under Chretien and then as Minister of the Environment under [[w:Paul Martin|Paul Martin]] who succeeded Chretien as prime minister in 2003.

Dion was seen as a longshot when he announced his candidacy to succeed Martin in April 2006 but soon emerged in the pack of four candidates who were seen as being in the first tier of contenders with the best chance of victory. [[w:Michael Ignatieff|Michael Ignatieff]] and [[w:Bob Rae|Bob Rae]] both were seen as having serious liabilities due to the former's several-decade absence from Canada in 2000 to 2005 and perceived support for the war in Iraq, and the latter's past as a member of the [[w:New Democratic Party of Canada|New Democratic Party]] including a stint as NDP [[w:Premier of Ontario|Premier of Ontario]].  Dion was positioned as a compromise candidate with several surveys showing him to be the second choice of most delegates.  As well, Kennedy's lack of fluency in French and poor showing in Quebec during the delegate selectio process eliminated him as a viable second choice for many delegates.

{{wikipediapar|Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006}}
{{wikipediapar|Stephane Dion}}

===Convention day results===
{|class="wikitable"
|+'''First Ballot'''

|-
!Candidate
!Delegate Support
!Percentage
|-
|Michael Ignatieff||1,412||29.3%
|-
|Bob Rae||977||20.3%
|-
|Stéphane Dion||856||17.8%
|-
|Gerard Kennedy||854||17.7%
|-
|Ken Dryden||238||4.9%
|-
|Scott Brison||192||4.0%
|-
|Joe Volpe||156||3.2%
|-
|Martha Hall Findlay||130||2.7%
|-
|Total||4,815||100.0%
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+'''Second Ballot'''

|-
!Candidate
!Delegate Support
!Percentage
|-
|Michael Ignatieff||1,481||31.6%
|-
|Bob Rae||1,132 || 24.1%
|-
|Stéphane Dion||974 || 20.8%
|-
|Gerard Kennedy||884 ||18.8%
|-
|Ken Dryden|| 219 ||4.7%
|-
|Total||4,690||100.0%
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+'''Third Ballot'''

|-
!Candidate
!Delegate Support
!Percentage
|-
|Stéphane Dion|| 1,782 || 37.0%
|-
|Michael Ignatieff||1,660 ||34.5%
|-
|Bob Rae||1,375 ||28.5% 
|-
|Total||4,817||100.0%
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+'''Fourth Ballot'''

|-
!Candidate
!Delegate Support
!Percentage
|-
|'''Stéphane Dion''' || '''2,521''' || '''54.7%'''
|-
|Michael Ignatieff || 2,084 ||45.3%
|-
|Total||4,605||100.0%
|}

==Related news==
{{Canadian news}}
*{{wikinews|title=Dion leads Ignatieff heading into final ballot of Canadian Liberal vote|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Canadian Liberal vote heads to third ballot|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Ignatieff tops first ballot in Canadian Liberal convention|date=December 2, 2006}}

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061203.wdion1203/BNStory/Front|title=Grits can grab Quebec, says Dion|author=Canadian Press|pub=The Globe and Mail|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/americas/features/article_1228935.php/Dion_shocks_Canadas_Liberal_with_upset_win|title=Dion shocks Canada's Liberal with upset win|author=James Stairs|pub=Monsters and Critics|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/12/02/liberals.html|title=Dion surges to Liberal leadership victory|author=|pub=CBC News|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1165060142030&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154|title=Liberals choose Dion|author=Richard Brennan|pub=Toronto Star|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N02413731.htm|title=Canada Liberals choose Stephane Dion as leader|author=|pub=Reuters|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=app26F4VWem4&refer=canada|title=Dion Beats Ignatieff, Wins Liberal Party of Canada Leadership|author=Alexandre Deslongchamps and Theophilos Argitis|pub=Bloomberg L.P.|date=December 2, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061202/dion_wins_061202/20061202?hub=TopStories|title=Dion takes Liberal leadership on 4th ballot|author=|pub=CTV|date=December 2, 2006}}
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[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Elections in Canada]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada leadership, 2006]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Bob Rae]]
[[Category:Michael Ignatieff]]
[[Category:Gerard Kennedy]]
[[Category:Stéphane Dion]]
[[Category:Jean Chrétien]]
[[Category:Paul Martin]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada]]
Stephane Dion, at a Friday rally.
Stéphane Dion, making his acceptance speech after winning the party leadership. Visible behind him are Scott Brison, Joe Volpe, Martha Hall Findlay, and Ken Dryden.
Stephane Dion has won the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada today at Palais des congrès de Montréal with 2,521 (54.7%) votes to former Harvard academic Michael Ignatieff with 2,084 (45.3%) votes. Dion entered the convention as a dark horse but surged past three other candidates to win on the fourth ballot.

The Liberal party dominated politics in Canada for the past century. The Conservative party won government in a January 2006 election held amid a desire for regime change and a patronage scandal in mostly French-speaking Quebec.

"Stephen, if you're listening, we are counting the days until the next election," Dion told Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his victory speech.

"What started as a network of loyal supporters and became a movement reaching every territory and province in our country. This movement ended in the great honour you have given me today," he told his party's convention after the results were announced.

"The most exciting race in the history of our party is over," Dion, a former environment minister, told the 5,000 party delegates. "Let's get ready for the election."

Taking aim at the Conservative minority government of Stephen Harper, Dion told the crowd and a national television audience, "We do not believe the Conservatives have bad intentions; we simply believe they lead to bad results." 

Dion's come-from-behind victory was a surprise to many observers and much of the media who had expected Ignatieff or former Ontario premier Bob Rae to win. Dion was in fourth place in terms of committed delegates who had been elected by local riding associations but was able to place third in the first ballot, edging former Ontario education minister Gerard Kennedy by two votes, due to the support of ex-officio delegates who were free to support any candidate. 

Rae appeared to have momentum due to the support of several former candidates and was well-positioned immediately after the second ballot when fifth-place Ken Dryden threw his support to the former Ontario premier.  The decision by Kennedy to withdraw and endorse Dion changed the convention's dynamic and gave Dion enough momentum to vault over Rae and Ignatieff to place first on the third ballot. Rae was eliminated and did not publicly endorse either of the remaining candidates but the victory of Dion was nevertheless seen as inevitable at this point by many observers, particularly as a number of Rae's high-profile supporters such as former finance minister Ralph Goodale and former candidates Volpe and Dryden threw their support to Dion. 

His campaign emphasized the environment (particularly support for the Kyoto Accord which has been rejected by the Conservative government), sustainable development, and social justice.

Stephane Dion's official campaign logo.
Dion, 51, was a professor at the University of Montréal when he was recruited by then prime minister Jean Chretien to run for the Liberals in a 1996 by-election. In a rare move, since repeated by the Conservatives, Dion was appointed to Cabinet without having won a seat in the House of Commons. He won the by-election and served as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs under Chretien and then as Minister of the Environment under Paul Martin who succeeded Chretien as prime minister in 2003.

Dion was seen as a longshot when he announced his candidacy to succeed Martin in April 2006 but soon emerged in the pack of four candidates who were seen as being in the first tier of contenders with the best chance of victory. Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae both were seen as having serious liabilities due to the former's several-decade absence from Canada in 2000 to 2005 and perceived support for the war in Iraq, and the latter's past as a member of the New Democratic Party including a stint as NDP Premier of Ontario.  Dion was positioned as a compromise candidate with several surveys showing him to be the second choice of most delegates.  As well, Kennedy's lack of fluency in French and poor showing in Quebec during the delegate selectio process eliminated him as a viable second choice for many delegates.

Candidate

Delegate Support

Percentage

Michael Ignatieff

1,412

29.3%

Bob Rae

977

20.3%

Stéphane Dion

856

17.8%

Gerard Kennedy

854

17.7%

Ken Dryden

238

4.9%

Scott Brison

192

4.0%

Joe Volpe

156

3.2%

Martha Hall Findlay

130

2.7%

Total

4,815

100.0%


+'Second Ballot'


Candidate

Delegate Support

Percentage

Michael Ignatieff

1,481

31.6%

Bob Rae

1,132 

 24.1%

Stéphane Dion

974 

 20.8%

Gerard Kennedy

884 

18.8%

Ken Dryden

 219 

4.7%

Total

4,690

100.0%


+'Third Ballot'


Candidate

Delegate Support

Percentage

Stéphane Dion

 1,782 

 37.0%

Michael Ignatieff

1,660 

34.5%

Bob Rae

1,375 

28.5% 

Total

4,817

100.0%


+'Fourth Ballot'


Candidate

Delegate Support

Percentage

'Stéphane Dion' 

 '2,521' 

 '54.7%'

Michael Ignatieff 

 2,084 

45.3%

Total

4,605

100.0%
Elections Elections in Canada Liberal Party of Canada leadership, 2006 Canada North America Politics and conflicts Bob Rae Michael Ignatieff Gerard Kennedy Stéphane Dion Jean Chrétien Paul Martin Liberal Party of Canada