A potential federal Liberal Party leadership candidate stopped in at Lake Diefenbaker last week in an effort to gauge the problems of Western Canadians as he formulates his plan to revive the Liberal brand.
David Bertschi, a practising lawyer in the private sector for the past 28 years, said he is travelling “from coast to coast to coast” to discuss with Canadians on what they think is needed from their federal representatives to better serve their interests in Ottawa. He said that he specifically toured through Saskatchewan in order to meet with its “hard working salt of the earth people” and to hear their hopes and concerns.
“Saskatchewan has always been a land of opportunity for as far as I could remember and it’s a wonderful opportunity for the Liberal Party of Canada to have its rebirth and to rebuild,” said Bertschi. “I am very encouraged travelling across the West and travelling across Canada meeting with people regardless of political stripe that are looking for a party that is balanced and not extremist. That is common through the rest of the country and it is true in the West.”
Bertschi said he would decide whether he will be throwing his hat into the ring to become leader of the Liberal Party after his tour through the country and after the party announces the leadership contest rules. The Liberals are set to select their new leader at the party’s national convention next April.
Bob Rae is currently the interim leader of the party after Michael Ignatieff stepped down following last year’s third place finish in the federal election, which saw the NDP take over official opposition status to the ruling Conservatives.
“I’m obviously seriously considering it,” said Bertschi, who lost in the last election to Conservative Royal Galipeau in the riding of Ottawa-Orleans. “I have received a lot of support from across the country and am very pleased and humbled by that.”
Sound fiscal policy, responsible government and help for those most vulnerable provides the framework for Bertschi’s plan to transform the government from one he believes that talks a lot about fixing the problems faced by Westerners, but does nothing about it.
“We’ve got a lot of underemployed or unemployed young adults who are very bright and want to work, but don’t have the opportunity because the federal government is not paying attention to that problem,” he said. “The last month we lost 30,000 jobs in Canada.
“We have to start paying attention to what is important and that is health care, the economy and allowing Canadians to feel that their representatives in government are listening to them and acting for them in their best interest to grow the economy and to make us competitive. That is the Canadian advantage.”