Ignatieff and playing with the facts

I used to really, really like Ignatieff. I saw him give a speech at the University of Waterloo on the future of peacekeeping. It was great, he hit all the right notes.

Tonight, I was greatly disappointed with him. He lowered himself to a degree that I consider shameful. He attempted to pass off a bill presented by Mr. Inky Mark (Bill C-331 -- for you junkies, you know that any bill starting at C-201 through to C-1000 is a private member's bill) as a piece of Liberal legislation.

Bill C-331 was the Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act.

When a person in the room pointed out that the bill was put forth by a Conservative MP, this person was forced out of the room. It was two Conservative MPs that presented this bill to the House.

Perhaps the good Dr. might want to consider this from Hansard:
From the second reading:
The most famous promise was made by our former prime minister, Jean Chrétien. In fact, tonight I want to read for the House a letter that he wrote to Mr. Thor Bardyn, the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in June 1993, when Mr. Chrétien was leader of the official opposition. He stated:

Dear Mr. Bardyn:

Thank you for your letter and the copies of the “Economic Losses of Ukrainian Canadians Resulting from Internment During World War I” and “Submissions on Behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian Community on the Matter of Redress for Non-Pecuniary Losses Occasioned by Internment and Other State-Inflicted Injuries.”

The Liberal Party understands your concern. As you know, we support your efforts to secure the redress of Ukrainian-Canadians' claims arising from their internment and loss of freedom during the First World War and Inter-war period. You can be assured that we will continue to monitor the situation closely and seek to ensure that the government honours its promise.

As Leader of the Opposition, I appreciate the time you have taken to write and bring your concerns to my attention.

Sincerely,

Jean Chrétien.

The Liberals had 12 years if they were really committed to this issue to do something.