Liberal Party takes surprising step
From Times Wire Reports
The Liberal Party unexpectedly chose former Environment Minister Stephane Dion as its new leader, overlooking his political shortcomings -- a heavy French accent and unpopularity in his home province of Quebec -- that could undermine the party in an election expected next year.
Dion, 51, beat the favorite, former Harvard academic Michael Ignatieff. The Liberals dominated Canadian politics for a century but lost to the Conservatives in January. The Conservatives have a minority government that is expected to fall.
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