Why Won’t Stéphane Dion Pay Off His Leadership Debts?

April 25, 2008

Last night, deputy Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff held a lucrative fundraiser in Toronto, bringing him closer to reconciling his $300,000 debt from the 2006 Liberal leadership race.

Now, Mr. Ignatieff can return his focus to advancing his position within the Liberal Party.

Stéphane Dion is not so fortunate. He still carries a massive leadership debt which he is struggling to pay off. At his last required filing, Mr. Dion had to reveal that he still had more than $800,000 in unpaid leadership debts.

Since his last filing deadline Mr. Dion has refused to let Canadians know exactly how much of this debt he has yet to pay off. Now, Elections Canada’s June 2nd deadline to pay off that leadership debt is drawing near.

With Mr. Dion’s debt free, and soon-to-be-debt free, leadership rivals Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff, lurking in the wings, Mr. Dion must now answer some very difficult question.

Why can his leadership rivals and current caucus colleagues pay off their debts and he cannot?

Will Stéphane Dion pay off his substantial leadership debt prior to the June 2nd deadline?

How is he planning to come up with the funds within such a tight timeframe?

Who is he asking to cover the costs of his campaign?

As Stéphane Dion struggles with his basic debt-management skills, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is showing real leadership in areas that matter to ordinary Canadians. Conservative tax relief is putting more money into Canadians' pockets every day.

Stéphane Dion has no new ideas, no policies, and no plans for the future of the country. His out-of-control spending would plunge Canada tens of billions of dollars deeper into debt. Now we see he is also incapable of paying off is own leaderhsip debts.

Stéphane Dion. Not a leader. Not worth the risk.