The question is so simple, it means if Dion was prime minister since 2006, what would he do? I laugh so hard to watch this man stumble on such a simple question.
Terrible question, by a terrible anchor. There was no way for Dion to answer that question because it was worded poorly. It made no grammatical sense.
Poor Dion, his language skills were his downfall. Too bad, he really is smart, I think he would have made wise decisions as PM, his honesty came across nicely. But he underestimated Harper's tactics.
Anyone interested in the fallout from this interview vis-a-vis Mike Duffy should read the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council's conclusion. It's on their website.
Interesting case for a linguist to study. "What would you have already done if you were Prime Minister today?" This is a rare case of a Present Perfect 2nd Conditional stumping a 2nd language speaker. If you were Prime Minister & had done right, you presumably might not be in a finanical crisis. Also you're speculating from hindsight. I'm no fan of Dion but there's a kind of no-win aspect to this question something like "when did you stop beating your wife?" Lesson here - study your grammar!
It worked for Mike Duffy. He's now officially a fat cat (literally as well). This got him a Senate seat and Steve Murphy wants one too!!!!! Good ole CONSERVATIVE TELEVISION NETWORK (CTV) at its best.
Steve Murphy is CTV Atlantic's longest anchor, and the question he asked Stephane Dion is not a hard question, and is a question I understood when he first asked it. If you don't get the question, you are pretty stupid
This guy doesnt even know how to speak english right how is he supposed to be the leader of Canada? Imagine a meeting between him and obama and how bad our country would look after that.
What was that? for sure he had leaned his text by heart before doing this cause he certainly knew his phrases but what didn't he understand? or did he? This was one of the strangest interview I ever saw...do you guys think he was on drugs or something?
Dear one thanx for replying to my comment kletpowa, I know that he isn't harper, but that was not my point, my point was that, this was an easy question, and especialy for someone who wants to take the leader place, he must know things like that, or give it some thought about what he would of done at his place, or at least have a little idea about it, but he was totaly somewhere else, it's not that he didn't understand the question, he was NOT paying attention, he seemed else where entirely
Just because it is legal does not make it right! If they had wanted to form a coalition in one or two years AFTER the budget then I doubt there would have been such a stir! I don't support Harper and his bully, fascist tactics but Dion and Layton did this because they know that neither of them will ever lead this country if they had to rely on the vote of the citizens of Canada. Its also pride. A westerner has a position which is traditionally occupied by an easterner and that is hard to accept!
Whadda buffoon. In the end he replies with plans that no one knows the details of, and consulting people to ascertain what to do. This is not leadership. Sarah Palin could easily replace him. Dion seems not to understand the concept of a hypothetical question. It had nothing to do with language. He kept insisting that if he to be PM today, it had to be for the last 2.5 yrs and no less, or it wouldn't be fair, sniff.
I don't mind Dion that much. Personally he's a truthful guy, but he's a lame duck leader he was better off quiet in Cabinet. As for Ignatieff. I don't really like him that much, since he seems more interested in making a name for himself than helping Canadians. I'm not saying Rae is much better eitheror LeBlanc but I met Ignatieff and I just got a bad vibe. Maybe Barack Obama has set the bar to high for Politicians now...
I guess idiots are attracted to idiots alike. That is why there are so many that voted for this guy and his party. I bet Stephan is sucking his thumb right now, maybe Layton's thumb...
Dion is a complete idiot. I am so ashamed of being a Canadian, I can barely stand it. This guy is the man that the Liberals want to run our country? He is the best of the Liberals. LOL What an idiot. Ha Ha. This guy probably has a hard time ordering a Tim Hortons coffee.
My 7 year old is laughing at him. These guys are making us as Canadians look bad. Dion - A true Liberal Ass Hat.
And Yes I think Steve Murphy was OBLIGATED to show the Canadian audience what really happened. This is Our Government! and I think we have the right to know the intelligence levels of the people who are running it.
The question itself is very bad english. The interviewer is mixing tenses: "If you were prime minister NOW, what would you HAVE DONE about the economy..." Dion goes on to answer the question which he understood as asking what would he have done if elected when Harper was. This is a correct interpretation, but the guy gets frazzled and corrects him for responding correctly. Sure Dion has poor english, but so does this interviewer, who is presumably an anglophone.
If any of you believe that it was Steve Murphy's decision you guys are so misinformed... It was the decision of CTV executives in Toronto and the news executives in Halifax, neither of which includes Steve. That's a fact.
At least Stephane didn't steal his speeches like Stephan Harper did. I call that pathetic. The question being asked was stupid and confusing. It was a dirty trick and nothing more.
I think it's pretty obvious that Dion does a lot of his own material from this interview. Still, as bad as it looks, I can see where he's getting confused.
i'm glad harper won but there was no reason for putting dion down like this... usually by mono-tongued mono-talent individuals. dion is a decent man and english is obviously not his first language. were he a normal, less than honest politician, he would have pretended to understand the question and answered it the way he understood it. that is why we never get straight answers from politicians. they don't persist on and pursue understanding the questions the way dion did here
Thank god you are only 11 and cannot vote. You can't even spell the word conservative! And could you truly answer this question? They are asking two different ones if you listen closely. And the answer would differ considerably depending on which question was asked. If he meant starting today, the answer would outline plans that would commence from the current date. If he meant previously, it would pertain to a different point in time, different situation and therefore, different actions.
I voted Liberal.I like their views and they have a very good party.If you wont vote liberal cause their leader is french you must be very cruel.I mean that's low.
What happened Tuesday was the old "election rule"....Lets vote for the least incompetent candidate. But, imagine this for a second...If a French television station in Quebec had done the same thing to Harper, the rest of Canada would have said that those damn Quebecers are shit disturbers and they are not real Canadians. So, politics is not a fair game. In fact, it is the dirtiest game you will ever play in your lifetime.
No, the question is not stupid. It's quite plain, and even if you accept that it is poorly worded the first time, the first and second and third clarifications negate that argument completely.
I'm thinking more along the lines that Dion had simply forgotten his soundbite for a question like that. Notice he did answer it, but didn't like his answer.
The question is reasonable, but the English posed is very poor. It is difficult to comprehend a question when someone mixes sentences. You should know this as an anglophone. Dion should have some slack for having to deal with a poorly worded question.
Are you kidding me? Its a hypothetical question. I think he has no idea what hypothetically speaking means, and obviously neither do you. I would be absolutely be embarrassed to have Stephane Dion representing our country,He obviously has no thoughts of his own when hes put on the spot, and without his trustee cue cards hes is completely confused and disorganized. He makes G.W Bush look like Einstein.
What a joke for a Liberal party leader. pick a new leader soon and not from Quebec . some one from English Canada and who cares for all of canada(yes Quebec to) and not Rae he got it all wrong for ontario in the 90s with the NDP.
Put this interview in context. The leaders of the national parties, during the campaigns, were travelling extensively and giving numerous speeches and interviews. Dion had an off day and he didn't understand the question well... big deal! Give the guy a break. I hope Dion gets the chance to head another election. New leaders just about always performs badly during the first election.
I hated Dion, a good many Liberal supporters I spoke to felt exactly the same, seeya Steph. The Liberal party needs to stop picking it's leaders from Quebec.
Ive been always a loyal liberal supporter since Trudeaus era, but sadly that I have struggled and finally had changed my mind only 5 minutes before the voting yesterday.
But we Canadians, owed to him for handling the Brian Mulroneys case.
I don't think he misunderstood the question in the sense of misunderstanding the language "per se", he just din't find the right answer: are you able to give a good answer to this question if you're put in the middle of Harper's mess. C'mon guys, this is not a problem with his English, it's that there's no way of making a good thing out of the s***t Harper has smeared all over Canada.
spoken like a true Liberal... Give the man more than 2-1/2 years before you crucify him.. After all, we put up with Liberal pork-belly government for 12 years before that
Stephane Dion is a douche...what he was trying to say but failed to say is that 2 years ago he could have done something, but now all he can do is react. But he was douchey in his response ( he was basically telly Mike Duffy: Today? How could I do anything different other than reacting today? 2 years ago I could have implimented policies that might have averted the impact to Canadians but today all I can do is consult the best economists etc.) He answered like a douche and forgot it was live!
PM's must be bilingual. Harper wasn't masterful in his french either but no one is talking about that. I don't think people should be voting based on the way a person speaks or looks. That is ridiculous.
Mr. Dion may be a such a man but if he cannot answer a basic question in a relaxed setting how can he possibly address country, parliament and international forum?
By making sure that questions, issues and solutions are clearly stated in a clear and direct fashion.
I do not speak french. I wish I did. It must be difficult to hear a question in English, think in French and respond in English. BUT, we have been told since Trudeau that our Prime Ministers must be bilingual. (I would be happy if they would be honest and humble.) Mr. Dion may be a such a man but if he cannot answer a basic question in a relaxed setting how can he possibly address country, parliament and international forum? We cannot elect a government led by a man who is so limited. Sorry.
Everyone I've asked has never heard anyone put it in such a way. Everyone I know would say "Two and a half years ago". Is Dion saying "three years ago" or "two and a half"? Please learn the language if you want to run for Prime Minister.
why don't you learn his language and see how you do before you criticize?
If you can't understand what he's trying to say by "two years and a half ago" then you're truly the idiot. I see why the French hate your dumb anglo asses so much now...
I do know French you American idiot. I know French better than Dion knows English and that's why it's upsetting to have someone running for Canadian Federal Leader who cannot comprehend both official loanguages.
I find most of the posts in support of Mr. Dion quite humourous.
It is obvious to anyone that he was being asked what he would have done differently from Harper.
The real issue is that Mr. Dion does not know how to govern and that he is an extremely poor leader. Can you imagine this bonehead representing us on the international stage??
My vote is for Mr. Harper. Here's hoping he gets a majority on Tuesday.
Dion's trouble with this question has nothing to do with not being able to speak English.The question isn't clear.He wants Dion to explain what he would do if he could become PM right now and then go back in time to succeed where Harper failed.Murphy could also mean"If you got elected what would you do about the economy now?"Present tense.Murphy is actually trying to ask"If you had been prime minister,rather than Harper,what would you have done about the economy?"Past tense.Learn English Steve!
Do you think we should have Stephane Dion for PM of Canada, he obviously doesn't understand the English language and the word hypothetical. All he was asked was would he do things differently and because his english isn't that great, he couldn't comprehend. I certainly wouldn't vote for him.....
shame on CTV...if they honestly judged the footage they would have known that the question was faulty...they wanted to sensationalize the incident and showed it...that is not journalism...they no different from TMZ or the Enquirer
It's obvious you have no clue about either journalism or the english language.
ALL journalism is to provoke a reaction, either from the subject or the audience.
This was a clearly-worded question - all three times - and to then blame it on a medical condition, or to blame it on a language deficiency, or to attack the network, is quite simply, desperation. Playing the sympathy card in hopes of attracting a few votes by looking pathetic and confused.
all you people who are making fun of Dion are idiots...he is actually smart for pointing out the faulty question...the reporter asks, if he is Prime Minister today, what "would you have done"....well, what time frame are we talking about...Dion actually mentions the fact if it was two years ago, they would have had an agenda...I wasn't going to vote Liberal, but I'm not voting for Harper
Hes just suggesting in a smart aleck way (if you were PM right now, impossible because he was not in the last election) by asking what what "would you have done" if you were elected in 2004 (Hell-o-o-o?) (Dion never ran in that election) hes deliberately putting him in the odd spot of having to second guess what his interviewer wants to know..by using the past tense in a present election, hes just suggesting Dion is washed up and the election has been decided.
If you were Prime Minister right now, what would you have done about the economy for the way its been the past 3 years that you were not in power for, differently than Stephen Harper has?
There is nothing wrong with my hearing. It is obviously exactly what the interviewer wishes to know.
The interviewer's question makes no sense. Does anybody even review the interviewer's question before he asks them???? The guy's question has no coherent timeline. He jumps between two years ago and today within the same question. As an English speaker I'm confused, as a Francophone who has learned English later in life, I would be thoroughly confused.
I don't think you understand what the interviewer was saying either because he was asking "hypothetical what would you do different", the word hypothetical through the francophone off, however, it was very simple to understand the question". The interviewer asked what would you do different in Harper's place - clearly this is a simple question but Dion made it complicated.
What does Dion think he can do to fix the economy. When U$ 700,000,000,000 doesn't make it change direction what does he expect he can do about it. The guy is a joke!
And we criticize the Americans for having a retarded national leader like Bush, holy shit if this bone head got elected in Canada we would be the laughing stock of the world just like the states has been for the last 8 years.
Go see what these french bigots from Quebec are really up to(WHISPER Part I) and don't forget what Dion really thinks about our language.While doing a lecture at a Quebec University he said this not long ago- "Bill 101 is a brilliant piece of legislation" - Stephane Dion. Now you wonder why the idiot can't speak or understand the English language??? They've been playing this separatist, federalist... nonsense for years. Wake up folks, its just a big lie.
It was because of the Liberals that we maintained such a strong economy. Conservative governments just can't help destroying the economy as soon as they take over. Dion misunderstood a question by a hack journalist wanna be. Harper misunderstands how to maintain the nation. Harper = Mulroney = Recession
It was a simple question. "today? or 6 weeks? or sixty weeks?" Dion is struggling with the when, when it doesn't matter when you are PM, the question is simple, "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you have done that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done..."
*shaking head*
I realize this is supposed to be a bilingual country, but ask any other newly immigrated and even slightly educated individual this question, and I bet they would have no problem understanding.
It was a simple question. "today? or 6 weeks? or sixty weeks?" Dion is struggling with the when, when it doesn't matter when you are PM, the question is simple, "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you have done that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done..."
*shaking head*
I realize this is supposed to be a bilingual country, but ask any other newly immigrated and even slightly educated individual this question, and I bet they would have no problem understanding.
dl2one......you said "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you have done that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done..." If by "today" you mean "starting" right now then he will have "done"(past tense) nothing.
And if this is what you meant then the correct way to ask the question would be "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you do that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done...". Simple but not so simple..... most english people would have the same problem if they were interviewed in french.
True, but if we are going to have a PM running our country, he needs to be able to comprehend in english as he would of understood the question in his own language but he got tripped up on hypothetical. We will only find ourselves in more of a bad situation if Stephane Dion is elected.
I've worked with many people who have immigrated to Canada and have an accent ten times worse than Mr Dion's, but could whom I know could at least understand what the question is even though they may not have the answer. I think he's playing dumb on the part of language barrier, which says alot about someone who should be multilingual and our Prime Minister.
Mastering the subjunctive tense in a second language is extraordinarily difficult. Our sympathy is all the more acute given the snide, sophomoric manner in which the Tories attempted to capitalize on Mr. Dions struggles -- chortling that the interview was worthy of an SNL (Saturday Night Live) skit - NATIONAL POST.
The Conservatives have to be careful not to become the issue in this story. Their desire to hang Mr. Dion with his own rope could come off in voters minds as too aggressive, if only because nearly everyone who has clawed to learn a new language has been in Mr. Dions shoes at least once. The Conservatives should be reminded at how Kim Campbell lost the election in 1993 when her party similarly mocked Jean Chretien, right before winning his first of three Liberal majorities - NATIONAL POST.
The Tories risked reopening the charge that they are mean-spirited when they almost immediately rolled out a big-screen TV for reporters, scoffed that the interview looked like a satire and held up Mr. Harpers plane so he could add his disparaging two-cents.
The Tories are trying to push it, and they risk proving the Liberals point that they are no class bullies intent on picking on a little guy with a hearing problem.
In the various phrasings used to help Dion, we keep hearing, "What would YOU have done?" Simple, eh?
But Dion and followers are playing the language card (ESL) and the disability card (hearing). Then, going beyond the language card, some have come up with a new one to play: the "grammar card"! Others are playing the conspiracy card, claiming a Conservative setup. I wouldn't put it past them to try -- somehow -- to play the race card next -- dont know how, but loonies will find a way! HA!
This was all a big misunderstanding - Harper's obviously not getting his Republican talking points. He was supposed to say this tape proves Dion is a Muslim.
By the way, I speak perfect english and french and I will tell you this: Stephen Harper's french sucks. Jack Layton's french sucks. Dion's english sucks. Duceppes's english is ok. And forget about May. Her french sounds like spanish. And I think it is unacceptable for politician in our day and age in Canada not to be fluent in both languages.
But then again we get what we pay for. A Prime Minister for around 250 000 $ a year plus expenses. Depressing really.
what a retard. learn the english language before trying to run a country let alone ours. i don't know french and this only reason why i am not running the country. if steven harper was this bad speaking french....he wouldn't be pm.
well, I don't know this guy, but I would guess that he is a conservative. conservatives generally have a horrible time dealing with issues that are not clear cut. ambiguity makes them afraid. so they react with gut-level reactionary responses
This was sent to me because I posted my opinion of CTV. Also simply asking, how much has the Harper govt spent in CTV?
Dear Member:
This is to notify you that we have removed or disabled access to the following material as a result of a third-party notification by Holland claiming that this material is infringing:
Canadian Integrity:
Please Note: Repeat incidents of copyright infringement will result in the deletion of your account.
This whole thing makes me want to back the Liberals. It's an embarrassment that Canadians give this incident the time of day. Duffy cannot speak English; his question makes no sense. "If you were prime minister today, what would you have done by now?" What the hell does that mean?
It means, if you were elected prime minister at any point of time until today, what actions would have been accomplished? Thats what he said, three times, and thats what his aide said. The reason the Dion couldn't answer it is because it doesn't have an economic plan, and needs a starting point ("2 and a half years ago? Next Tuesday?") from which to formulate his plan... 30 days from that point. That's what's scary about giving him the Prime Ministership, not his linguistic incompetence.
Your election in Canada is interesting. I watched the debate with the candidates earlier, and they all seemed to have command of the issues but when it came to health care problems all of them said it's a pressing issue that needs to be fixed...and then when they were later asked what they would do as prime minister for the first 100 days health care wasn't mentioned.
Apparently you also have trouble with English. "If you had been prime minister these last two and a half years, what actions would have been accomplished?" It's called the past perfect. "If you were..." means starting from NOW. In French, people don't make this mistake. That's why it's confusing to a French speaker.
Looks like some of you people need some lessons on grammar. May I suggest night school?
The guy asking the questions couldn't get it right even ONE time.
It's just a question of whether the guy asking the questions did it on purpose. The fact that CTV decided to air it? to smear Dion? It was done on purpose.
(lol)2 Luke Schenn2: Your comment was somewhat entertaining. Post Secondary schools and the highschool education system does not teach grammer anymore. They teach critical thinking but does not care aboutscentence structure. If you went 2 school College or University u would know that.
lambchop437: lol...yeah...it's quite obvious that our tax funded, national broadcaster, whose motto at one point was, "trusted, connected, Canadian" obviously has a policy about being politically neutral. lol.
Heck, if I were Harper, I'd first ask the CBC to stop being so biased and if they refuse to comply, I'd cut their budget.
An MP that was part of the Liberal government that stole money from Canadian's pockets (adscam).A cabinet member that did nothing after the Kyoto accord was signed. Spare me another Lieberal PM
You must be referring to the old PC TV spot that poked fun of Chretien's facial expressions. Yes, good ol' Chretien had been waiting his whole life for that to happen so he could twist it around and get public sympathy. As much as I dislike Chretien, I will admit he is quite a shrewd and cunning politician. Dion is not.
The public is much to smart to fall for these pathetic, tired ol' tricks the Liberals like to play.
The girl trying to repeat the question to Dion said it even worse... "IF YOU WERE THE PRIME MINISTER WHEN SINCE HARPER'S BEEN PRIME MINISTER" <--- WTF??
"when since" <-- what the heck is "when since?"
Am I the only person who heard the girl ask this question?
DarcyTucker: I don't think any of us here need english language lessons.
Regardless of how much you hyper-analyze the question, scrutinize the grammar or come up with excuses for your dear Mr. Dion, it is obvious to everyone what the interviewer was asking Mr. Dion.
The real issue is that Mr. Dion did not know how to answer the question.
The Liberals won that election because of the exact same stunt posed by the media when they mocked Jean Chretien's speaking ability and his appearance. The Liberals won 3 majority governments because of the exact same thing. I am pissed. You should be also, if you want Harper to win. This stunt is likely to help Dion, not Harper.
Ok jerome, partly correct. I felt it was necessary to illustrate this point, because the Liberals under Dion are currently behind in the polls. This CTV interview was aired during a timely fashion. It's meant to help gain sympathy for Dion amongst undecided voters. People think this interview hurts Dion. But in fact, it doesn't.
These so-called conservative supporters just don't get it. This is what got Chretien elected in 1993. The media made fun of him just before that election, and do you recall what happened? I do... 3 Liberal MAJORITY governments. And I'm a conservative voter. This makes me angry. Why can't other conservative voters see the irony in airing of this video?
No politician evers answers the question they are asked, but rather the question they wished they were asked, which goes to prove that Mr. Dion is no politician.
in which case the tense of "have done" and the word "already" are incorrectly used.
I don't buy the story about Mr. Dion not hearing the question properly due to a hearing disability. To me, it seems like he heard it perfectly but there was confusion in understanding it. However, the confusion is not due to Dion's language difficulties. Because here, obviously it is the interviewer who has difficulty composing a proper question in English,
because as prime minister, what you may have "already" done if you took office 2 1/2 years age, may have been a very different economic plan to avoid having the economic crisis to this extent in the first place, whereas if you were prime minister for the past say two weeks and you were faced with this economic crisis as it is exactly today, what you would have done already is a very different plan. Or is the interviewer asking how to deal with the situatioin Now?
The question is grammatically very vague and I can completely understand where the confusion has risen. interviewer repeatedly asks what you would have done "already", which implies you would have been prime minister for a period of time before now. When this period of time starts is not specified, which Mr. Dion asks about and is not given a clear answer.Why that matters you ask?
Harper would never had made this mistake. He would have just bribed the interviewer. Hmm...Conservatives keep whining about our "LEFT WING MEDIA", but why is it that this issue has gotten so much play, but the story of Harper s OWN AUDIO EXPERT testifying that the Cadman tape was unaltered has been pretty much brushed over? Do Canadians really not care that their primie minister may be involved in criminal actions and abusing his power? Nah. The media just doesn't want to let us know.
the question is so clear and it proves that his english is not strong. If he cannot understand a clear and simple question how will he be able to handle a tough questions on the world stage. He would be an embarrisment to Canada
I am not a Liberal voter, but think that Dion did a fine job in this interview. I would rather see a human being than a neocon robot who can lie with precision. Harper and his Tory thugs are grasping for air in their desperate bit for a majority.
The missing premise is that if he was PM today he would have been the PM during the Harper time and would have been in charge during the economy went down
We are in good shape in Canada because we got rid of the crook that were in power before. Do you not remember the sponsership scandle, there is still 40 million dollars missing. The liberals have not changed, the fact that the ex prime minister is out helping Dion is proff that it is the same bunch of crooks. PLEASE don't make the same mistake and re-elect liberals to grab our hard earned tax money. The carbon tax alone should be enough not to vote liberal. Harper is honest you cant deny that.
peakyone.. I 'am libral and would never vote 4 the libral party, they have had enough chances and screwed up. It's why one party can't stay in power for 2 long, they let it go to their heads.
The Liberal Party has governed Canada for much too long. So much so that the Liberals and their supporters act like they're entitled to run the country.
Mr. Harper has been demonized in the press, was incessantly attacked by the 4 other leaders during the debate and when the Liberal leader is caught unable to answer a question during an interview it's considered unethical to report it??
your right..I 'am lib. and changed my vote 2 the conservative party if that makes any sense. Well, I'am voting 4 Harper this term and will continue 2 support the conservative party providing that they don't screw up like the lib. party did.
carcultured: If you are university educated and don't understand the question there is something wrong with you.
Dion understood the question but didn't know how to answer it. He's been critical of Harper throughout the whole campaign but when asked "what would YOU have done", he doesn't know how to answer.
Heck...even after his aid clarified the question, he STILL doesn't answer the question.
It's the Liberals up to their old tricks again...Mr. Chretien is obviously his mentor.
Any person with a brain could have understood that question. Its worded perfectly. Putting Canada into this guys hands would be just as bad, if not worse, then the United States being put into the hands of Sarah Palin. God help us!
wow, lol. That's who I want leading my country, a guy who can't handle past and present tense. At least he still seems like a smart guy other then that though. Just don't formulate any questions to him with any past or present tenses in it, lol
Folks, the Lieberals think bringing out another bumbling French idiot from Quebec (Chretien) is going to save this election. After viewing this video againWOW! I just cant believe this french clown is even in a position to become PM. We have sunk pretty low. First Chretien now Dion... Lets get this video out to as many people as possible. Harper doesnt need any seats from Quebec. This video gives him a majority without Quebec. Screw Quebec!!!
I want to congratulate you for just fueling every stereotype that the Nazis in Quebec have about anglophones. You make me ashamed to be english. You also have probably never even been to Quebec.
Ur right these guys are idiots and traitors to their nation. The smartest ppl are already in the separatist parties. None of these idiots including Harper can represent Quebec.
The question is so simple, it means if Dion was prime minister since 2006, what would he do? I laugh so hard to watch this man stumble on such a simple question.
ylchiang 2 weeks ago
Terrible question, by a terrible anchor. There was no way for Dion to answer that question because it was worded poorly. It made no grammatical sense.
avenuePad 10 months ago
Not honest, Mr. Duffy to have released the blupper. You and CTV had not been morally fair! Honestly!
chenierzmarcgmail 1 year ago
Stupid ignorant neurotic Liberal! No wonder this drop out never got far.
MagnusAtheos1 1 year ago
may be not a bad guy, but his english is . . .
tarzan694 1 year ago
Poor Dion, his language skills were his downfall. Too bad, he really is smart, I think he would have made wise decisions as PM, his honesty came across nicely. But he underestimated Harper's tactics.
rickyb007 1 year ago
stupid stinking frog...
footchannel9 1 year ago
Dion has no place leading a country that is English speaking in majority!
jeffms2 2 years ago
ummmmm really?
how many of our PM's are french canadian again?
eli123456543 2 years ago
Anyone interested in the fallout from this interview vis-a-vis Mike Duffy should read the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council's conclusion. It's on their website.
somewhatlongdong 2 years ago
Interesting case for a linguist to study. "What would you have already done if you were Prime Minister today?" This is a rare case of a Present Perfect 2nd Conditional stumping a 2nd language speaker. If you were Prime Minister & had done right, you presumably might not be in a finanical crisis. Also you're speculating from hindsight. I'm no fan of Dion but there's a kind of no-win aspect to this question something like "when did you stop beating your wife?" Lesson here - study your grammar!
nblumer 2 years ago
WOW! This interviewer is a fucking retard.
12three451 2 years ago
What a stupid interview, even the interviewer doesn't understand his own question.
qazwas2001 2 years ago 2
Fuck Puffy
Fmaack 2 years ago
It worked for Mike Duffy. He's now officially a fat cat (literally as well). This got him a Senate seat and Steve Murphy wants one too!!!!! Good ole CONSERVATIVE TELEVISION NETWORK (CTV) at its best.
waddie98 2 years ago 3
As in the words of the great Bill O'Reilly "FUCK IT...do it live!!!"
idol4365 2 years ago
There was no reason for this to be released. It was only done for malicioius reasons. Things are edited out of interviews all the time
somewhatlongdong 3 years ago
WOW... What a leader! Go Stephane
FGchannel 3 years ago
The question doesn't make any sense what so ever. What kind of a douche bag is this reporter and why has CTV turned into the FOX NEWS of Canada?
If I win the lottery today, what would have I spent the money on?
I dare anyone to perform the grammatical gymnastics required to be able to answer such an absurd question.
Fire the douche-bag, whatever his name is!
ehsanakbari 3 years ago
Steve Murphy is CTV Atlantic's longest anchor, and the question he asked Stephane Dion is not a hard question, and is a question I understood when he first asked it. If you don't get the question, you are pretty stupid
nslimited 3 years ago 5
This guy doesnt even know how to speak english right how is he supposed to be the leader of Canada? Imagine a meeting between him and obama and how bad our country would look after that.
polotony9 3 years ago
What was that? for sure he had leaned his text by heart before doing this cause he certainly knew his phrases but what didn't he understand? or did he? This was one of the strangest interview I ever saw...do you guys think he was on drugs or something?
Batcat1313 3 years ago
no drugs don't exagerate..
think about it: He is NOT stephen harper.. you can't answer such an hypothetic question
kletpowa 3 years ago
Dear one thanx for replying to my comment kletpowa, I know that he isn't harper, but that was not my point, my point was that, this was an easy question, and especialy for someone who wants to take the leader place, he must know things like that, or give it some thought about what he would of done at his place, or at least have a little idea about it, but he was totaly somewhere else, it's not that he didn't understand the question, he was NOT paying attention, he seemed else where entirely
xxo
Batcat1313 3 years ago
Somebody should check to see if the two big babies Stephan Dion & Jack Layton need their diapers changed.
cne08 3 years ago
Just because it is legal does not make it right! If they had wanted to form a coalition in one or two years AFTER the budget then I doubt there would have been such a stir! I don't support Harper and his bully, fascist tactics but Dion and Layton did this because they know that neither of them will ever lead this country if they had to rely on the vote of the citizens of Canada. Its also pride. A westerner has a position which is traditionally occupied by an easterner and that is hard to accept!
puffrooster 3 years ago
Whadda buffoon. In the end he replies with plans that no one knows the details of, and consulting people to ascertain what to do. This is not leadership. Sarah Palin could easily replace him. Dion seems not to understand the concept of a hypothetical question. It had nothing to do with language. He kept insisting that if he to be PM today, it had to be for the last 2.5 yrs and no less, or it wouldn't be fair, sniff.
RSoleNmbr1 3 years ago
as a liberal ,i think this is a terrible representation of our party's leader.Please liberals vote ignatieff
Classicalboarder 3 years ago
I don't mind Dion that much. Personally he's a truthful guy, but he's a lame duck leader he was better off quiet in Cabinet. As for Ignatieff. I don't really like him that much, since he seems more interested in making a name for himself than helping Canadians. I'm not saying Rae is much better eitheror LeBlanc but I met Ignatieff and I just got a bad vibe. Maybe Barack Obama has set the bar to high for Politicians now...
gundamWWW 3 years ago
This is proof that Dion is a idiot. I know because of the proof that's a proof because it's proven..
How embarrassing. Was the interviewer John Cleese?
RSoleNmbr1 3 years ago
This guy is more of an idiot than Chretien.
How oculd anyone vote for this guy?
Normalman50 3 years ago
I guess idiots are attracted to idiots alike. That is why there are so many that voted for this guy and his party. I bet Stephan is sucking his thumb right now, maybe Layton's thumb...
nathansharkey 3 years ago
Dion is a complete idiot. I am so ashamed of being a Canadian, I can barely stand it. This guy is the man that the Liberals want to run our country? He is the best of the Liberals. LOL What an idiot. Ha Ha. This guy probably has a hard time ordering a Tim Hortons coffee.
My 7 year old is laughing at him. These guys are making us as Canadians look bad. Dion - A true Liberal Ass Hat.
nathansharkey 3 years ago
And Yes I think Steve Murphy was OBLIGATED to show the Canadian audience what really happened. This is Our Government! and I think we have the right to know the intelligence levels of the people who are running it.
brix04 3 years ago
The question itself is very bad english. The interviewer is mixing tenses: "If you were prime minister NOW, what would you HAVE DONE about the economy..." Dion goes on to answer the question which he understood as asking what would he have done if elected when Harper was. This is a correct interpretation, but the guy gets frazzled and corrects him for responding correctly. Sure Dion has poor english, but so does this interviewer, who is presumably an anglophone.
chronose 3 years ago
If any of you believe that it was Steve Murphy's decision you guys are so misinformed... It was the decision of CTV executives in Toronto and the news executives in Halifax, neither of which includes Steve. That's a fact.
appianway 3 years ago 5
@appianway Actually it was the decision of Mike Douchebag Duffy... look it up..THAT'S fact
ammarios 9 months ago
Why wouldn't we want to see this? He could have been our leader on the world stage and I would not have wanted him representing me.
mcauley187 3 years ago 3
Putz!
Stupid Green Shit.
Cannot understanding his frengish
islamDick 3 years ago
At least Stephane didn't steal his speeches like Stephan Harper did. I call that pathetic. The question being asked was stupid and confusing. It was a dirty trick and nothing more.
judyth66 3 years ago
Are you fucking serious?
subfusc8 3 years ago
Serious about what? Harper's speech was stolen from the Australian prime minister! Word for word!
courtneysara 3 years ago
Harper didn't steal a speech from Howard, a lazy speech writer who worked for Harper stole a speech from Howard; and he was fired for it.
Do you think that Dion or Layton speak impromptu or something? Lol.
They all have speech writers who have, without doubt, plagiarized and appropriated another politician's speech.
subfusc8 3 years ago
I think it's pretty obvious that Dion does a lot of his own material from this interview. Still, as bad as it looks, I can see where he's getting confused.
chronose 3 years ago
i'm glad harper won but there was no reason for putting dion down like this... usually by mono-tongued mono-talent individuals. dion is a decent man and english is obviously not his first language. were he a normal, less than honest politician, he would have pretended to understand the question and answered it the way he understood it. that is why we never get straight answers from politicians. they don't persist on and pursue understanding the questions the way dion did here
dsgspm 3 years ago 3
I could answer the question and I am only 11
btw I am consirvative
Max and DO NOT FORGET I AM ONLY A CHILD I AM 11!!
fanofsoccer7 3 years ago
so what is your answer?
terensaurus 3 years ago
Thank god you are only 11 and cannot vote. You can't even spell the word conservative! And could you truly answer this question? They are asking two different ones if you listen closely. And the answer would differ considerably depending on which question was asked. If he meant starting today, the answer would outline plans that would commence from the current date. If he meant previously, it would pertain to a different point in time, different situation and therefore, different actions.
courtneysara 3 years ago
I voted Liberal.I like their views and they have a very good party.If you wont vote liberal cause their leader is french you must be very cruel.I mean that's low.
sydnurbin 3 years ago 2
What happened Tuesday was the old "election rule"....Lets vote for the least incompetent candidate. But, imagine this for a second...If a French television station in Quebec had done the same thing to Harper, the rest of Canada would have said that those damn Quebecers are shit disturbers and they are not real Canadians. So, politics is not a fair game. In fact, it is the dirtiest game you will ever play in your lifetime.
lolitathebitch 3 years ago 2
not a dion fan -- voted blue myself
but the question was poorly worded -- If you are Prime Minister right now, what would you have done then, .... if you were PM now?
He asks the guy -- the questions is if you were PM today- right -- then he says if you were PM 2.5 years ago
he spazes out -- but the question is stupid
LOUPTHERITIS 3 years ago
No, the question is not stupid. It's quite plain, and even if you accept that it is poorly worded the first time, the first and second and third clarifications negate that argument completely.
I'm thinking more along the lines that Dion had simply forgotten his soundbite for a question like that. Notice he did answer it, but didn't like his answer.
PhilipJFry72 3 years ago
The question is reasonable, but the English posed is very poor. It is difficult to comprehend a question when someone mixes sentences. You should know this as an anglophone. Dion should have some slack for having to deal with a poorly worded question.
ThePapayaFish 3 years ago
Are you kidding me? Its a hypothetical question. I think he has no idea what hypothetically speaking means, and obviously neither do you. I would be absolutely be embarrassed to have Stephane Dion representing our country,He obviously has no thoughts of his own when hes put on the spot, and without his trustee cue cards hes is completely confused and disorganized. He makes G.W Bush look like Einstein.
brix04 3 years ago 2
What a joke for a Liberal party leader. pick a new leader soon and not from Quebec . some one from English Canada and who cares for all of canada(yes Quebec to) and not Rae he got it all wrong for ontario in the 90s with the NDP.
gosensgo42 3 years ago
30-50 plan? hahahahahahahahhaahahahahahaha
airybitizik 3 years ago
Put this interview in context. The leaders of the national parties, during the campaigns, were travelling extensively and giving numerous speeches and interviews. Dion had an off day and he didn't understand the question well... big deal! Give the guy a break. I hope Dion gets the chance to head another election. New leaders just about always performs badly during the first election.
PurpleLava 3 years ago
Political Career is dead DION!!!
ITHEREONETHATHASNT 3 years ago 2
Steve Murphy's question is nonsensical in Dion's defence. But Stephnen Harper is an econoist by profession in his defence.
bobcaygeonfrench 3 years ago
I hated Dion, a good many Liberal supporters I spoke to felt exactly the same, seeya Steph. The Liberal party needs to stop picking it's leaders from Quebec.
marijumanji 3 years ago
80% of Canadians are Anglophones. If you are not functional in the MAJORITY language of the country you should not be running for Prime Minister.
Could you imagine a person running for U.S. President if they were fluent in Spanish but had only a basic knowledge of English?
bubbleboy1981 3 years ago
bubbleboy1981.... wow, thank u!!! someone who agrees with me loll.
shilee95 3 years ago
Ive been always a loyal liberal supporter since Trudeaus era, but sadly that I have struggled and finally had changed my mind only 5 minutes before the voting yesterday.
But we Canadians, owed to him for handling the Brian Mulroneys case.
maxie363 3 years ago
"DOUCHE!!" Love it. A Douchebag for a leader is the official opposition, opposition to what you may ask? More DoucheBags.
KnottingMooF 3 years ago
I don't think he misunderstood the question in the sense of misunderstanding the language "per se", he just din't find the right answer: are you able to give a good answer to this question if you're put in the middle of Harper's mess. C'mon guys, this is not a problem with his English, it's that there's no way of making a good thing out of the s***t Harper has smeared all over Canada.
marerahappy 3 years ago
spoken like a true Liberal... Give the man more than 2-1/2 years before you crucify him.. After all, we put up with Liberal pork-belly government for 12 years before that
keeppushingforward 3 years ago
nah nah nah nah
nah nah nah nah
hey hey hey
good-bye
jeromebamley 3 years ago
What a freaking douche bag!!! This is a country where the majority speaks English! So much for liberal democratic theory!
mrtesting 3 years ago
He was trying to make a point that he thought that the question was a dumb question. But came off looking like an unready fool. Douche.
badmotor69 3 years ago
Stephane Dion is a douche...what he was trying to say but failed to say is that 2 years ago he could have done something, but now all he can do is react. But he was douchey in his response ( he was basically telly Mike Duffy: Today? How could I do anything different other than reacting today? 2 years ago I could have implimented policies that might have averted the impact to Canadians but today all I can do is consult the best economists etc.) He answered like a douche and forgot it was live!
badmotor69 3 years ago
Vote conservative, the best priminister of all time
2000fordmustang 3 years ago
PM's must be bilingual. Harper wasn't masterful in his french either but no one is talking about that. I don't think people should be voting based on the way a person speaks or looks. That is ridiculous.
schoolkate123 3 years ago
124otterstreet says :
Mr. Dion may be a such a man but if he cannot answer a basic question in a relaxed setting how can he possibly address country, parliament and international forum?
By making sure that questions, issues and solutions are clearly stated in a clear and direct fashion.
jldupont21 3 years ago
I do not speak french. I wish I did. It must be difficult to hear a question in English, think in French and respond in English. BUT, we have been told since Trudeau that our Prime Ministers must be bilingual. (I would be happy if they would be honest and humble.) Mr. Dion may be a such a man but if he cannot answer a basic question in a relaxed setting how can he possibly address country, parliament and international forum? We cannot elect a government led by a man who is so limited. Sorry.
124otterstreet 3 years ago 2
This sums up how well he speaks:
"Two years and a half ago."
Everyone I've asked has never heard anyone put it in such a way. Everyone I know would say "Two and a half years ago". Is Dion saying "three years ago" or "two and a half"? Please learn the language if you want to run for Prime Minister.
roycom22 3 years ago
why don't you learn his language and see how you do before you criticize?
If you can't understand what he's trying to say by "two years and a half ago" then you're truly the idiot. I see why the French hate your dumb anglo asses so much now...
iluvkimjaejoong 3 years ago
I do know French you American idiot. I know French better than Dion knows English and that's why it's upsetting to have someone running for Canadian Federal Leader who cannot comprehend both official loanguages.
roycom22 3 years ago 2
wtf is this sht? dion isnt that dum...is he?
lol this audio preview thing is kinda weird
286773824 3 years ago
I'm french canadian and I have to admit that with the way the question was asked, if hypothetically I was 6th grader maybe I wouldn't get it...
jimbwoy 3 years ago
I find most of the posts in support of Mr. Dion quite humourous.
It is obvious to anyone that he was being asked what he would have done differently from Harper.
The real issue is that Mr. Dion does not know how to govern and that he is an extremely poor leader. Can you imagine this bonehead representing us on the international stage??
My vote is for Mr. Harper. Here's hoping he gets a majority on Tuesday.
jeromebamley 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Dion's trouble with this question has nothing to do with not being able to speak English.The question isn't clear.He wants Dion to explain what he would do if he could become PM right now and then go back in time to succeed where Harper failed.Murphy could also mean"If you got elected what would you do about the economy now?"Present tense.Murphy is actually trying to ask"If you had been prime minister,rather than Harper,what would you have done about the economy?"Past tense.Learn English Steve!
schoolkate123 3 years ago
WHAT? Are you SURE YOU know how to speak English?
PhilipJFry72 3 years ago
Do you think we should have Stephane Dion for PM of Canada, he obviously doesn't understand the English language and the word hypothetical. All he was asked was would he do things differently and because his english isn't that great, he couldn't comprehend. I certainly wouldn't vote for him.....
momtiny 3 years ago
shame on CTV...if they honestly judged the footage they would have known that the question was faulty...they wanted to sensationalize the incident and showed it...that is not journalism...they no different from TMZ or the Enquirer
TonyKenningIsCrying 3 years ago
It's obvious you have no clue about either journalism or the english language.
ALL journalism is to provoke a reaction, either from the subject or the audience.
This was a clearly-worded question - all three times - and to then blame it on a medical condition, or to blame it on a language deficiency, or to attack the network, is quite simply, desperation. Playing the sympathy card in hopes of attracting a few votes by looking pathetic and confused.
BTW "they no different..."
PhilipJFry72 3 years ago
all you people who are making fun of Dion are idiots...he is actually smart for pointing out the faulty question...the reporter asks, if he is Prime Minister today, what "would you have done"....well, what time frame are we talking about...Dion actually mentions the fact if it was two years ago, they would have had an agenda...I wasn't going to vote Liberal, but I'm not voting for Harper
TonyKenningIsCrying 3 years ago 2
Hes just suggesting in a smart aleck way (if you were PM right now, impossible because he was not in the last election) by asking what what "would you have done" if you were elected in 2004 (Hell-o-o-o?) (Dion never ran in that election) hes deliberately putting him in the odd spot of having to second guess what his interviewer wants to know..by using the past tense in a present election, hes just suggesting Dion is washed up and the election has been decided.
sucharadder 3 years ago
If you were Prime Minister right now, what would you have done about the economy for the way its been the past 3 years that you were not in power for, differently than Stephen Harper has?
There is nothing wrong with my hearing. It is obviously exactly what the interviewer wishes to know.
sucharadder 3 years ago
The interviewer's question makes no sense. Does anybody even review the interviewer's question before he asks them???? The guy's question has no coherent timeline. He jumps between two years ago and today within the same question. As an English speaker I'm confused, as a Francophone who has learned English later in life, I would be thoroughly confused.
kuljeet17 3 years ago
I don't think you understand what the interviewer was saying either because he was asking "hypothetical what would you do different", the word hypothetical through the francophone off, however, it was very simple to understand the question". The interviewer asked what would you do different in Harper's place - clearly this is a simple question but Dion made it complicated.
momtiny 3 years ago
you should learn how to speak english. your responses don't make any sense.
schoolkate123 3 years ago
what a fucking moron.
taras89 3 years ago
What does Dion think he can do to fix the economy. When U$ 700,000,000,000 doesn't make it change direction what does he expect he can do about it. The guy is a joke!
countryclassic 3 years ago
"Could you spoke dat question in french please"?
This man has great difficulty speaking this Nation's first language but it is now clear to me that this man is a complete idiot.
His aspirations should start and end with Quebec Provincial politics.
If this idiot was elected to lead our Country, I would be ashamed of our democratic process.
I thought he was going to cry when the woman was trying to spell it out for him and at the end of the day he still didn't get the question.
tj3351 3 years ago
HAHAHH
KingUponMain 3 years ago
The liberal party is no longer the center of the road party that it used to be. They have moved over to replace the NDP as the new left.
The conservative have also move to the left to become the new center of the road party.
We really don't have a right winged party left in Canada.
The people that say Harper is like Bush should all go into hospital because they have a mental disorder and can't see the real picture.
Save our country please vote conservative.
peakyone 3 years ago
And we criticize the Americans for having a retarded national leader like Bush, holy shit if this bone head got elected in Canada we would be the laughing stock of the world just like the states has been for the last 8 years.
stv420 3 years ago
Ken you are a moron. Dion is a fool and you know it. Maybe this is a conspiracy to make him look bad and Elvis is still alive as well.
cforte123 3 years ago
Go see what these french bigots from Quebec are really up to(WHISPER Part I) and don't forget what Dion really thinks about our language.While doing a lecture at a Quebec University he said this not long ago- "Bill 101 is a brilliant piece of legislation" - Stephane Dion. Now you wonder why the idiot can't speak or understand the English language??? They've been playing this separatist, federalist... nonsense for years. Wake up folks, its just a big lie.
boogyjuggy 3 years ago
It was because of the Liberals that we maintained such a strong economy. Conservative governments just can't help destroying the economy as soon as they take over. Dion misunderstood a question by a hack journalist wanna be. Harper misunderstands how to maintain the nation. Harper = Mulroney = Recession
giancarlogisella 3 years ago
Go away Ken. This is a pathetic display by your leader, an objective look on your part would confirm.
99Vstar 3 years ago
It was a simple question. "today? or 6 weeks? or sixty weeks?" Dion is struggling with the when, when it doesn't matter when you are PM, the question is simple, "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you have done that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done..."
*shaking head*
I realize this is supposed to be a bilingual country, but ask any other newly immigrated and even slightly educated individual this question, and I bet they would have no problem understanding.
dl2one 3 years ago
It was a simple question. "today? or 6 weeks? or sixty weeks?" Dion is struggling with the when, when it doesn't matter when you are PM, the question is simple, "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you have done that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done..."
*shaking head*
I realize this is supposed to be a bilingual country, but ask any other newly immigrated and even slightly educated individual this question, and I bet they would have no problem understanding.
dl2one 3 years ago
dl2one......you said "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you have done that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done..." If by "today" you mean "starting" right now then he will have "done"(past tense) nothing.
And if this is what you meant then the correct way to ask the question would be "If you were PM of Canada TODAY, what would you do that PM Stephen Harper hasn't done...". Simple but not so simple..... most english people would have the same problem if they were interviewed in french.
rustyford73 3 years ago
True, but if we are going to have a PM running our country, he needs to be able to comprehend in english as he would of understood the question in his own language but he got tripped up on hypothetical. We will only find ourselves in more of a bad situation if Stephane Dion is elected.
momtiny 3 years ago 2
I've worked with many people who have immigrated to Canada and have an accent ten times worse than Mr Dion's, but could whom I know could at least understand what the question is even though they may not have the answer. I think he's playing dumb on the part of language barrier, which says alot about someone who should be multilingual and our Prime Minister.
dl2one 3 years ago
Mastering the subjunctive tense in a second language is extraordinarily difficult. Our sympathy is all the more acute given the snide, sophomoric manner in which the Tories attempted to capitalize on Mr. Dions struggles -- chortling that the interview was worthy of an SNL (Saturday Night Live) skit - NATIONAL POST.
KenDrydenCAN 3 years ago
The Conservatives have to be careful not to become the issue in this story. Their desire to hang Mr. Dion with his own rope could come off in voters minds as too aggressive, if only because nearly everyone who has clawed to learn a new language has been in Mr. Dions shoes at least once. The Conservatives should be reminded at how Kim Campbell lost the election in 1993 when her party similarly mocked Jean Chretien, right before winning his first of three Liberal majorities - NATIONAL POST.
KenDrydenCAN 3 years ago
The Tories risked reopening the charge that they are mean-spirited when they almost immediately rolled out a big-screen TV for reporters, scoffed that the interview looked like a satire and held up Mr. Harpers plane so he could add his disparaging two-cents.
The Tories are trying to push it, and they risk proving the Liberals point that they are no class bullies intent on picking on a little guy with a hearing problem.
KenDrydenCAN 3 years ago
In the various phrasings used to help Dion, we keep hearing, "What would YOU have done?" Simple, eh?
But Dion and followers are playing the language card (ESL) and the disability card (hearing). Then, going beyond the language card, some have come up with a new one to play: the "grammar card"! Others are playing the conspiracy card, claiming a Conservative setup. I wouldn't put it past them to try -- somehow -- to play the race card next -- dont know how, but loonies will find a way! HA!
Submishkin 3 years ago
-Were I PM since 2006 , I would have implemented policies to avoid Harper's crisis -
-Should I be elected PM next week , I will implement a different set of policies to correct Harper's crisis-
-Were I PM now , I would have implemented these policies starting tomorrow - ???
RedToryProductions 3 years ago
... unlike RoboCon Harper who only has one answer to every problem ;
the economy is fundamentally strong / cut taxes ---
the economy is in crisis / cut taxes
.. and this has already been demonstrated to be the wrong answer ...
RedToryProductions 3 years ago
Do we really want this for prime minister?
jackdanielsjunky 3 years ago
This was all a big misunderstanding - Harper's obviously not getting his Republican talking points. He was supposed to say this tape proves Dion is a Muslim.
TOOBola 3 years ago
CTV should be ashamed of releasing this tape to the Harper campaign. CTV and Stephen Harper - MEAN
gilraen789 3 years ago
You can tell immediately that Dion was confused from the very 1st question.
"If you were Prime Minister now.." Dion then asks, "you mean now? or 2-3 years ago?" He was looking for a clear question, and never got it.
The girl then tried asking the question to Dion and was actually worse....
"If you were the Prime Minister when since Harper's been Prime Minister.." <--- what is "when since?"
What is "when since?"
LukeSchenn2 3 years ago
Dion as Prime Minister...LMFAO
OtisDriftwood666 3 years ago
By the way, I speak perfect english and french and I will tell you this: Stephen Harper's french sucks. Jack Layton's french sucks. Dion's english sucks. Duceppes's english is ok. And forget about May. Her french sounds like spanish. And I think it is unacceptable for politician in our day and age in Canada not to be fluent in both languages.
But then again we get what we pay for. A Prime Minister for around 250 000 $ a year plus expenses. Depressing really.
poussinsky 3 years ago
what a retard. learn the english language before trying to run a country let alone ours. i don't know french and this only reason why i am not running the country. if steven harper was this bad speaking french....he wouldn't be pm.
bvadave 3 years ago
Dion is not ready to be prime minister... now or in the past tense or whatever else he cannot figure out en Canada's autre langue!!!
jimbonomics 3 years ago
BTW, that's not Mike Duffy (it's the name of his show though).
dgsimone 3 years ago
Mr. Dion criticized Harper for taking no action immediately, but has no answer himself.
Busted!!!
dgsimone 3 years ago
well, I don't know this guy, but I would guess that he is a conservative. conservatives generally have a horrible time dealing with issues that are not clear cut. ambiguity makes them afraid. so they react with gut-level reactionary responses
maunaowakea777 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This was sent to me because I posted my opinion of CTV. Also simply asking, how much has the Harper govt spent in CTV?
Dear Member:
This is to notify you that we have removed or disabled access to the following material as a result of a third-party notification by Holland claiming that this material is infringing:
Canadian Integrity:
Please Note: Repeat incidents of copyright infringement will result in the deletion of your account.
Sincerely,
YouTube, Inc.
victimofgovt 3 years ago
This whole thing makes me want to back the Liberals. It's an embarrassment that Canadians give this incident the time of day. Duffy cannot speak English; his question makes no sense. "If you were prime minister today, what would you have done by now?" What the hell does that mean?
HeavyHeaded 3 years ago
It means, if you were elected prime minister at any point of time until today, what actions would have been accomplished? Thats what he said, three times, and thats what his aide said. The reason the Dion couldn't answer it is because it doesn't have an economic plan, and needs a starting point ("2 and a half years ago? Next Tuesday?") from which to formulate his plan... 30 days from that point. That's what's scary about giving him the Prime Ministership, not his linguistic incompetence.
eliwein 3 years ago
Your election in Canada is interesting. I watched the debate with the candidates earlier, and they all seemed to have command of the issues but when it came to health care problems all of them said it's a pressing issue that needs to be fixed...and then when they were later asked what they would do as prime minister for the first 100 days health care wasn't mentioned.
terisbub 3 years ago
Apparently you also have trouble with English. "If you had been prime minister these last two and a half years, what actions would have been accomplished?" It's called the past perfect. "If you were..." means starting from NOW. In French, people don't make this mistake. That's why it's confusing to a French speaker.
HeavyHeaded 3 years ago
Looks like some of you people need some lessons on grammar. May I suggest night school?
The guy asking the questions couldn't get it right even ONE time.
It's just a question of whether the guy asking the questions did it on purpose. The fact that CTV decided to air it? to smear Dion? It was done on purpose.
LukeSchenn2 3 years ago
(lol)2 Luke Schenn2: Your comment was somewhat entertaining. Post Secondary schools and the highschool education system does not teach grammer anymore. They teach critical thinking but does not care aboutscentence structure. If you went 2 school College or University u would know that.
scarlett24ca 3 years ago
Didn't you mean CBC, the TV arm of the liberal party of Canada. That useless voice of the "people".
lambchop437 3 years ago
lambchop437: lol...yeah...it's quite obvious that our tax funded, national broadcaster, whose motto at one point was, "trusted, connected, Canadian" obviously has a policy about being politically neutral. lol.
Heck, if I were Harper, I'd first ask the CBC to stop being so biased and if they refuse to comply, I'd cut their budget.
jeromebamley 3 years ago
An MP that was part of the Liberal government that stole money from Canadian's pockets (adscam).A cabinet member that did nothing after the Kyoto accord was signed. Spare me another Lieberal PM
lambchop437 3 years ago
Well lambchop, if the Liberal win this election, make sure you thank all the morons at CTV for making it happen.
1993 repeats itself.
DarcyTucker 3 years ago
DarcyTucker:
1993 repeats itself?? Really?? lol.
You must be referring to the old PC TV spot that poked fun of Chretien's facial expressions. Yes, good ol' Chretien had been waiting his whole life for that to happen so he could twist it around and get public sympathy. As much as I dislike Chretien, I will admit he is quite a shrewd and cunning politician. Dion is not.
The public is much to smart to fall for these pathetic, tired ol' tricks the Liberals like to play.
jeromebamley 3 years ago
Dion's popularity in the polls went up in the past 2 days, I wonder why.
Just like 1993 all over again.
DarcyTucker 3 years ago
The girl trying to repeat the question to Dion said it even worse... "IF YOU WERE THE PRIME MINISTER WHEN SINCE HARPER'S BEEN PRIME MINISTER" <--- WTF??
"when since" <-- what the heck is "when since?"
Am I the only person who heard the girl ask this question?
DarcyTucker 3 years ago
DarcyTucker: I don't think any of us here need english language lessons.
Regardless of how much you hyper-analyze the question, scrutinize the grammar or come up with excuses for your dear Mr. Dion, it is obvious to everyone what the interviewer was asking Mr. Dion.
The real issue is that Mr. Dion did not know how to answer the question.
jeromebamley 3 years ago
I'm a conservative voter, ane I remember 1993.
The Liberals won that election because of the exact same stunt posed by the media when they mocked Jean Chretien's speaking ability and his appearance. The Liberals won 3 majority governments because of the exact same thing. I am pissed. You should be also, if you want Harper to win. This stunt is likely to help Dion, not Harper.
DarcyTucker 3 years ago
DarcyTucker: Well, you are partly correct.
There were a number of reasons why the PCs were essentially wiped off the map and it doesn't have much to do with that TV ad.
I would suspect that the PCs were voted out because:
1) They introduced the GST back in 1991
2) The PCs lost their influence in Western Canada because of the newly formed Reform party.
The PCs were already on their way out.
jeromebamley 3 years ago
Ok jerome, partly correct. I felt it was necessary to illustrate this point, because the Liberals under Dion are currently behind in the polls. This CTV interview was aired during a timely fashion. It's meant to help gain sympathy for Dion amongst undecided voters. People think this interview hurts Dion. But in fact, it doesn't.
DarcyTucker 3 years ago
These so-called conservative supporters just don't get it. This is what got Chretien elected in 1993. The media made fun of him just before that election, and do you recall what happened? I do... 3 Liberal MAJORITY governments. And I'm a conservative voter. This makes me angry. Why can't other conservative voters see the irony in airing of this video?
DarcyTucker 3 years ago
No politician evers answers the question they are asked, but rather the question they wished they were asked, which goes to prove that Mr. Dion is no politician.
Ape65 3 years ago
in which case the tense of "have done" and the word "already" are incorrectly used.
I don't buy the story about Mr. Dion not hearing the question properly due to a hearing disability. To me, it seems like he heard it perfectly but there was confusion in understanding it. However, the confusion is not due to Dion's language difficulties. Because here, obviously it is the interviewer who has difficulty composing a proper question in English,
nenow627 3 years ago
because as prime minister, what you may have "already" done if you took office 2 1/2 years age, may have been a very different economic plan to avoid having the economic crisis to this extent in the first place, whereas if you were prime minister for the past say two weeks and you were faced with this economic crisis as it is exactly today, what you would have done already is a very different plan. Or is the interviewer asking how to deal with the situatioin Now?
nenow627 3 years ago
The question is grammatically very vague and I can completely understand where the confusion has risen. interviewer repeatedly asks what you would have done "already", which implies you would have been prime minister for a period of time before now. When this period of time starts is not specified, which Mr. Dion asks about and is not given a clear answer.Why that matters you ask?
nenow627 3 years ago
Harper would never had made this mistake. He would have just bribed the interviewer. Hmm...Conservatives keep whining about our "LEFT WING MEDIA", but why is it that this issue has gotten so much play, but the story of Harper s OWN AUDIO EXPERT testifying that the Cadman tape was unaltered has been pretty much brushed over? Do Canadians really not care that their primie minister may be involved in criminal actions and abusing his power? Nah. The media just doesn't want to let us know.
matx212 3 years ago
the question is so clear and it proves that his english is not strong. If he cannot understand a clear and simple question how will he be able to handle a tough questions on the world stage. He would be an embarrisment to Canada
mmartino2 3 years ago
I am not a Liberal voter, but think that Dion did a fine job in this interview. I would rather see a human being than a neocon robot who can lie with precision. Harper and his Tory thugs are grasping for air in their desperate bit for a majority.
benisitt 3 years ago
Yeah, its an amiguous question.
The missing premise is that if he was PM today he would have been the PM during the Harper time and would have been in charge during the economy went down
depromodo 3 years ago
Canada's Liberals... I did not understand that it would be bad to fill my pockets with Canadians money.
jimbonomics 3 years ago
We are in good shape in Canada because we got rid of the crook that were in power before. Do you not remember the sponsership scandle, there is still 40 million dollars missing. The liberals have not changed, the fact that the ex prime minister is out helping Dion is proff that it is the same bunch of crooks. PLEASE don't make the same mistake and re-elect liberals to grab our hard earned tax money. The carbon tax alone should be enough not to vote liberal. Harper is honest you cant deny that.
peakyone 3 years ago 2
peakyone.. I 'am libral and would never vote 4 the libral party, they have had enough chances and screwed up. It's why one party can't stay in power for 2 long, they let it go to their heads.
scarlett24ca 3 years ago
scarlett24ca:
The Liberal Party has governed Canada for much too long. So much so that the Liberals and their supporters act like they're entitled to run the country.
Mr. Harper has been demonized in the press, was incessantly attacked by the 4 other leaders during the debate and when the Liberal leader is caught unable to answer a question during an interview it's considered unethical to report it??
Give me a break!
Mr. Harper, you have my vote.
jeromebamley 3 years ago
your right..I 'am lib. and changed my vote 2 the conservative party if that makes any sense. Well, I'am voting 4 Harper this term and will continue 2 support the conservative party providing that they don't screw up like the lib. party did.
scarlett24ca 3 years ago
If Dion was in charge, we would be at the mercy of whom ever would be his dominant "adviser(s)" and what THEIR agenda might be.
Rest assured that it would be counter to the best interest of Canada as a whole!
yyyboy13 3 years ago 2
I have 5 years of University. I didnot understand the question.
Hold the interviewer accountable. It is his error. Kudos to Mr. Dion for attempting to understand the question before answering.
carcultured 3 years ago
carcultured: If you are university educated and don't understand the question there is something wrong with you.
Dion understood the question but didn't know how to answer it. He's been critical of Harper throughout the whole campaign but when asked "what would YOU have done", he doesn't know how to answer.
Heck...even after his aid clarified the question, he STILL doesn't answer the question.
It's the Liberals up to their old tricks again...Mr. Chretien is obviously his mentor.
jeromebamley 3 years ago 3
Any person with a brain could have understood that question. Its worded perfectly. Putting Canada into this guys hands would be just as bad, if not worse, then the United States being put into the hands of Sarah Palin. God help us!
stefanopecchia 3 years ago 3
wow, lol. That's who I want leading my country, a guy who can't handle past and present tense. At least he still seems like a smart guy other then that though. Just don't formulate any questions to him with any past or present tenses in it, lol
Sheppy99 3 years ago
Folks, the Lieberals think bringing out another bumbling French idiot from Quebec (Chretien) is going to save this election. After viewing this video againWOW! I just cant believe this french clown is even in a position to become PM. We have sunk pretty low. First Chretien now Dion... Lets get this video out to as many people as possible. Harper doesnt need any seats from Quebec. This video gives him a majority without Quebec. Screw Quebec!!!
boogyjuggy 3 years ago
I want to congratulate you for just fueling every stereotype that the Nazis in Quebec have about anglophones. You make me ashamed to be english. You also have probably never even been to Quebec.
JohnnyCashIsGod 3 years ago
Ur right these guys are idiots and traitors to their nation. The smartest ppl are already in the separatist parties. None of these idiots including Harper can represent Quebec.
Vive le Québec libre!
IamAlwaysRight 3 years ago
IamAlwaysRight: Indeed! Canada can't get rid of Quebec fast enough!
jeromebamley 3 years ago
To I'am always right
Maybe not Quebec but Quebec is only one provence out of the rest of the country.
You seem to forget that... Don't get so god damn cocky!
scarlett24ca 3 years ago
I feel sorry for this man. He's going to be the butt of jokes for a long time.
They really should have had someone translating for him, if he didn't understand the question.
sofjaw 3 years ago