This month marks the one year anniversary of Stéphane Dion’s ascension to the leadership of the Liberal Party and what a ride it has been. As early as December 5th of last year, Mr. Dion was proudly proclaiming to all that would listen how he had been “celebrated as a hero.”

To proclaim one’s self a “hero” is a pretty bold statement. However, with a full year now behind him, it’s becoming easier to accurately gauge Mr. Dion’s leadership abilities. So, just how “heroic” has Stéphane Dion been as Leader of the Opposition?

Since being elected, this Conservative Government has made its focus getting things done for average Canadians. We’ve reduced the tax burden facing families by the billions through targeted tax relief measures, such as the GST reductions. In addition to tax relief, we’ve also begun to substantially reduce our national debt, which benefits future generations and saves the country hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments. Other areas of focus for this government include: increased support for the armed forces, toughening the justice system and averting the worst effects of climate change through a realistic, but firm, plan tailored to Canada. This Government has had a great year. Sadly, I cannot say the same for Mr. Dion.

While we continued to reduce the GST, Mr. Dion has made it clear that, if elected, he intends to hike the GST once again. This coming from the party that once said they’d abolish the tax altogether. Now they want to raise it!

In the area of crime, Mr. Dion has spearheaded the efforts to delay our legislation. As a result of his actions, the age of sexual consent still has not been raised from 14 to 16, as we proposed, nor have mandatory minimum sentences been introduced for violent gun crimes. In fact, the Liberals are now hinting they would actually weaken various pieces of crime legislation should they get back to power.

On democratic reform, Mr. Dion has been unable to control his own Liberal Senators, who have stalled our efforts to make the upper chamber more democratic and accountable.

Finally, on the environment, Mr. Dion continues to lecture this Government. What the Leader of the Opposition fails to mention is that carbon emissions rose by over 30% while he was Minister of the Environment. This Government, unlike the Liberals, is actually serious about climate change. We’re doing more than just engage in fiery rhetoric. We’ve got a real plan that requires real reductions in carbon emissions, something the former Liberal government failed to legislate. Our plan is the first, and toughest, of its kind in Canadian history.

In his first year as Liberal leader, Mr. Dion has flip-flopped, obstructed on crime and forced his entire caucus to abstain on countless pieces of legislation. Some “hero.”

While Stéphane Dion continues to demonstrate his lack of leadership and inability to set priorities, this Conservative Government has made its agenda clear and we’ve been getting things done for Canadians ever since.

Guy Lauzon, MP