<b>Dion uses controversial powers to appoint female candidate</b>
BILL CURRY
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
August 18, 2007 at 12:56 AM EDT
OTTAWA — Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has invoked his contentious power of appointment, naming veteran party activist Michelle Simson as the next Liberal candidate in Scarborough Southwest.
Mr. Dion defended his use of the rarely used appointment power on the grounds that it will help him meet his commitment of running at least one-third female candidates in the next election.
The nomination in the eastern Toronto riding came open earlier this year when Liberal MP Tom Wappel announced that he would not be running again after 19 years in office.
Ms. Simson has worked in banking and in the auto-leasing business and has been a long-time volunteer with the party. She is the president of the Ontario Liberal Women's Commission and a former president of the neighbouring Scarborough-Rouge River riding.
I'm absolutely honoured that Mr. Dion has the faith in me to be a part of his team,” Ms. Simson said. “Yeah, there may be people that have a different view [about using the appointment process], but I've [received] over 100 e-mails since that press release went out from senior Liberals, and all of them without question are supportive of this.”
In addition to Ms. Simson, one other candidate had previously been given the green light by the Liberal Party to run for the riding nomination. Vijjay Sappani, a young first-generation immigrant from India, said Friday that he has called Ms. Simson to offer his support. Had there been a race, Mr. Sappani said he felt he had enough support to win.
“It is in the best interests of the party and it's a good decision that [Mr. Dion] has made,” said Mr. Sappani, who lives in the riding of Markham, held by Liberal MP John McCallum. “There's always another day. I'm 32. It could be as early as tomorrow if the proper riding opens up.”
One long-time Toronto Liberal who did not want to be identified said the decision not to have an open nomination race will hurt the party's support in the multicultural riding. “The people of Scarborough Southwest might take revenge on the Liberal Party and not vote for her,” the Liberal said. “Here you have one of the highest ethnically diverse ridings in the country, [and] a Caucasian woman being appointed.”
Many party leaders have long promised to increase the number of women in Parliament with little success. In the 308-seat House of Commons, only 64 women currently sit as MPs. That includes 21 Liberals, 17 Bloc Québécois, 14 Conservatives, 12 New Democrats and one independent.
Recently appointed to cabinet, Calgary MP Diane Ablonczy told The Canadian Press Friday that women can rise up the political ranks more quickly than men, but generally, politics is not a career that interests many women. “Women generally place a higher priority on caring for their family – either their own children, or sometimes grandchildren, and sometimes older parents,” Ms. Ablonczy was quoted as saying.
That explanation drew a quick and fiery response from NDP MP Irene Mathyssen, who issued a press release criticizing the Conservatives' approach to women's issues and noting the NDP caucus is 41 per cent women.
“Now they're blaming women for having the wrong priorities,” she said.
BILL CURRY
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
August 18, 2007 at 12:56 AM EDT
OTTAWA — Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has invoked his contentious power of appointment, naming veteran party activist Michelle Simson as the next Liberal candidate in Scarborough Southwest.
Mr. Dion defended his use of the rarely used appointment power on the grounds that it will help him meet his commitment of running at least one-third female candidates in the next election.
The nomination in the eastern Toronto riding came open earlier this year when Liberal MP Tom Wappel announced that he would not be running again after 19 years in office.
Ms. Simson has worked in banking and in the auto-leasing business and has been a long-time volunteer with the party. She is the president of the Ontario Liberal Women's Commission and a former president of the neighbouring Scarborough-Rouge River riding.
I'm absolutely honoured that Mr. Dion has the faith in me to be a part of his team,” Ms. Simson said. “Yeah, there may be people that have a different view [about using the appointment process], but I've [received] over 100 e-mails since that press release went out from senior Liberals, and all of them without question are supportive of this.”
In addition to Ms. Simson, one other candidate had previously been given the green light by the Liberal Party to run for the riding nomination. Vijjay Sappani, a young first-generation immigrant from India, said Friday that he has called Ms. Simson to offer his support. Had there been a race, Mr. Sappani said he felt he had enough support to win.
“It is in the best interests of the party and it's a good decision that [Mr. Dion] has made,” said Mr. Sappani, who lives in the riding of Markham, held by Liberal MP John McCallum. “There's always another day. I'm 32. It could be as early as tomorrow if the proper riding opens up.”
One long-time Toronto Liberal who did not want to be identified said the decision not to have an open nomination race will hurt the party's support in the multicultural riding. “The people of Scarborough Southwest might take revenge on the Liberal Party and not vote for her,” the Liberal said. “Here you have one of the highest ethnically diverse ridings in the country, [and] a Caucasian woman being appointed.”
Many party leaders have long promised to increase the number of women in Parliament with little success. In the 308-seat House of Commons, only 64 women currently sit as MPs. That includes 21 Liberals, 17 Bloc Québécois, 14 Conservatives, 12 New Democrats and one independent.
Recently appointed to cabinet, Calgary MP Diane Ablonczy told The Canadian Press Friday that women can rise up the political ranks more quickly than men, but generally, politics is not a career that interests many women. “Women generally place a higher priority on caring for their family – either their own children, or sometimes grandchildren, and sometimes older parents,” Ms. Ablonczy was quoted as saying.
That explanation drew a quick and fiery response from NDP MP Irene Mathyssen, who issued a press release criticizing the Conservatives' approach to women's issues and noting the NDP caucus is 41 per cent women.
“Now they're blaming women for having the wrong priorities,” she said.
Comment