Dion addresses immigration, human rights

SOURCE: http://www.yorkregion.com

ARTICLE:

In Cantonese and Mandarin, the name Dion translates as peace, calmness and serenity. Liberal leader Stephane Dion seems pleased with the translation.
"I love it," he said, while meeting with members of Markham's Chinese community
yesterday.

Fresh off his first few weeks as federal Liberal leader and leader of the official Opposition, Mr. Dion made a pit stop at the Federation of Chinese Canadians at the Market Village Shopping Centre. This, on a day he named his dream team, which includes former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, former education minister Gerard Kennedy and former Newmarket-Aurora Liberal candidate Martha Hall Findlay.

He named Michael Ignatieff his second in command the day before.

Fielding questions on everything from human rights in China to accreditation for new immigrants, Mr. Dion was in good spirits, often cracking jokes with the assembled media.

Flanked by Markham-Unionville MP John McCallum and Oak-Ridges MP Lui Temelkovski, Mr. Dion tried to assure those gathered he wants to solve the problems they feel are most pressing.

The Liberal leader stressed that to compete in the global economy, Canada's labour
shortage must be addressed.

"In 2010, 100 per cent of the manpower growth in Canada will come from immigration, many from Asia. I want the problem of credentials to be solved," Mr. Dion said, noting many immigrants arrive with engineering backgrounds, but end up working menial jobs.

"There are a lot of things we can do," Mr. Dion said, suggesting the government needs to put more effort into making newcomers aware of available jobs.
Mr. Dion also mentioned how important environmental initiatives are to him, adding that if the economy and environment are linked, solutions will be found to the world's problems.

"We need to improve our quality of life. We cannot miss the new industrial revolution. We need to produce more with less waste and more recycling," Mr. Dion said.

On human rights issues in China, Mr. Dion said it must be addressed and stressed how proud he was of former Prime Minister Jean Chretien when he spoke about human rights at a University in Beijing in 1998 and criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper's approach to the issue.

"The way Mr. Harper is behaving is amateur. It's not helpful...," Mr. Dion said, adding he would deal with human rights issues, but keep the avenue for cultural
exchange open.

While mum on whether or not more money would come Ontario's way if he were prime minister, Mr. Dion vowed he would try to address every province's needs.

Amid much fanfare, Mr. Dion unveiled his name written in Chinese, quipping "the spelling is good."

"I am so pleased that Stephane Dion has come here so soon after Parliament has broken for the holidays to speak to the Chinese community and the Chinese media," Mr. McCallum said.