Stephane Dion to Canadians: No Election After All

But can Canadians trust him?

Deciding that discretion is the better part of valour, Stephane Dion has apparently decided that he will not vote in favour of his stated convictions, and will instead pull some slick political maneuvering in order to let the throne speech pass.

Good news for Canada, but bad news for Stephane Dion.

After all, the Kyoto protocol has been the centrepiece of Dion's policy platform, both before and after his ascension to the leadership of the Liberal party.

Yet Kyoto will be a no go under the government's new legislative agenda, as foreshadowed in the throne speech. "Canada's emissions cannot be brought to the level required under the Kyoto Protocol within the compliance period which begins … just 77 days from now," Governor General Michaelle Jean announced during the speech.

Suddenly, Kyoto has become less important to Dion than avoiding an election he has to know he can't win.

Yet, Dion's earstwhile bosom buddy, Elizabeth May, was eager to see the government toppled over the speech.

"Most Canadians do not like Mr. Harper's policies. Most Canadians are desperate for leadership that really speaks to issues and is respectful about them. Most Canadians want a politician who keeps his word, or her word. They don't see that in the Harper government," May insisted.

May also remains committed to Kyoto, despite its unattainability. "We'll never get near it if we don't begin," she pouted.

Apparently, Dion doesn't share her commitment -- although he'll certainly insist that he does.

But Kyoto isn't the only issue that Dion has vaccilated on.

Afghanistan -- particularly the mission in Khandahar -- has been an issue that Dion has indulged his indiscretions on.

It's amazing how easily Liberals have forgotten that Stephane Dion was in Jean Chretien's cabinet in 2003 when Canadian forces were sent into Afghanistan, and again in 2005 when Paul Martin sent them into Khandahar. It's amazing how easily Dion himself has forgotten.

In fact, in March 2006, Dion was recorded as saying "it's a very important mission and we want to be there." A few days later, he supported the mission again. "will succeed in Afghanistan if we show a lot of determination. We need to be resolute and to succeed."

Yet Dion would later vote against the extension of the "very important mission". It wouldn't be the last time Dion voted against something he supported -- at least verbally.

If one were to ask Dion for comment on the matter, he would insist that Canadians don't trust Stephen Harper. As a matter of fact, he has.

Yet, one should wonder if Canadians trust Stephane Dion as he lags well behind in leadership polls.

Given his proclivity for voting against issues that he claims to support, they shouldn't.