Harper is more Bush than Bush, local Liberals told

Stephane Dion says unity is his passion.

And last night he united with pizza-loving Liberals at Aurora's in the Sault for a little subdued campaigning.

The federal Liberal leadership hopeful is shown with local Grit-guy Christian Provenzano, whom Dion hopes to see taking this riding from Tony Martin in the next federal election.

"Sault Ste. Marie has seen a brief NDP interlude on a federal level," Dion said. "We are hoping to see another Provenzano return to Ottawa with us."

Dion said he'd be delaying release of more information about his vision for Canada for a few days, because of yesterday's events in his home town of Montreal.

"My wife has the responsibility of a law library very close to Dawson College," he said. "Everything is all right with her now, I checked. But they were asked to stay in the library until the whole thing was over."

Dawson College was the scene of a horrific shooting rampage yesterday afternoon by a lone gunman who left at least 19 students wounded and one dead.

Dion said he would return to Montreal as soon as possible.

The former minister of intergovernmental affairs and the environment told assembled Saultites that he has more experience in politics than all the other leadership candidates put together, even though he's the youngest candidate.

The three pillars for his campaign, he said, are economic vitality, social justice and environmental sustainability.

What he neglected to tell his audience is that he has a husky named Kyoto.

Dion told reporters that he knew how to lead Canada to meet and exceed its Kyoto Accord commitments before the deadlines.

"We will help people to do what's right for the planet and for their wallets," he said.

Dion also criticized Prime Minister Steven Harper for his policies on the Kyoto Accord, the Kelowna Accord and Canada's involvements in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon.

"Sometimes Harper is more Bush than Bush," he said.

For more information on Dion and his leadership campaign, click here.