Skeena - Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen took the next step in his campaign to be the leader of the federal New Democratic Party on December 4, participating in the first NDP Leadership Debate broadcast on CPAC.
Cullen took to the stage with the other eight leadership candidates for a two hour debate that included one hour in English and one hour in French.
“New Democrats are in a position that we have never been in before. We recognize that Canada has never reached its full potential. We are a country that pollutes too much. We are more unequal than we have ever been and we have a government that doesn’t want to plan for the economy of the 21st century,” said Cullen in his opening statement.
“We as a party have to prepare ourselves to offer up the pragmatic solutions to these challenges. And if we do this, we will form the next federal government of Canada - a progressive government that reflects the values of Canadians.”
Many of the pundits agree that Cullen summed up the friendly nature of the debate with the soundbite: “I am in violent agreement with my colleagues here”.
As of press time, the hour of English for the NDP Leadership Debate could still be viewed on the CBC.ca website. The NDP will choose a new leader on March 24, 2012.