Entrenched reactionary elements of Canada's Conservative Party headed by Prime Minister Steven Harper have recently sniped at new Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff with a tired old line about him having spent so much time in other countries.

As usual, Canada's Tories have it backwards.  What a great advantage and opportunity for Canada to have a man available to serve as prime minister with such an extensive portfolio in an era when technology has shrunk the globe and made us neighbors of people and nations at one time thought to be so distant.

A shrewd political leader needs to possess the scent of the British hunting dog, scenting every opportunity and pouncing on it.  Michael Ignatieff sees such an opportunity in Quebec and is acting.  Andrew Chung's informative article in the Toronto Star December 29 relates a visit Ignatieff made December 17 for the first time since being selected leader of the Liberal Party.

Ignatieff began his agenda with a breakfast with Quebec's Premier Jean Charest.  "I am going to visit other premiers, but I am starting in Quebec," Ignatieff noted,  "and that is a sign of the importance I attach to Quebec."