Following the recent federal election and the announcement that Stéphane Dion will be stepping aside next spring, changes have occurred in the Liberal Senate.

I have recently been promoted to Leader of the Opposition in the Senate having been Opposition Whip in the last Parliament.  Senator Claudette Tardif from Alberta continues as Deputy Leader and Senator Jim Munson from Ontario is now occupying my former office as the new Opposition Whip.  Both Senators Tardif and Munson are very capable and committed to their roles in the Senate and I know that they will excel in these positions.  

We have also been busy over the past few weeks preparing for the opening of the 40th Parliament. We have a great team of 57 Liberal Senators who are working very hard to be an active and constructive Opposition; providing both new legislative initiatives and constructive opposition to the Conservative government.

I was busy this weekend writing a major speech - my first as leader - for delivery next week in the Throne Speech debate.  In it, I will set out our agenda for this session and urge the Conservative government to own up to the mistakes which it has made in managing our economy.  We are at the point where Canada is about to go into deficit:  a made-in-Canada Conservative deficit.

As Liberal Senators, we will be constructive in offering suggestions to help Canadians through these difficult times but we are not the government and it is up to the Conservatives to show real leadership and not continue the laissez faire hands off attitude they have shown thus far.

Our Senate team welcomes your thoughts and suggestions as we meet this crisis -- there is a role for every public spirited citizen to play.

We need your help and your input.

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