Good evening, bonjour.

Je suis Paul Summerville.

C'est un grand honneur d’être parmi vous aujourd’hui.

Nous sommes tous responsables de l’avenir du Parti libéral du Canada.

Nous sommes ses champions.

Nous sommes le parti bilingue et inclusif.

Nous sommes le parti de la justice sociale.

Nous sommes le parti de la prudence fiscale et d’une économie forte.

We are the party that roots for and shares success.

Yet, ten years from now what will Canadians say about us?

Will they say we were timid? (No)

Will they say we were unfair? (No)

Will they say that the Liberal Party is no more? (No)

To answer ‘no’ we must have the most accountable, open, and transparent constant Canadian conversation that it is in our power to fashion.

As National Policy Chair I will be committed to making your voice, our voice.

I spent 20 years in investment banking, responsible for multi-million dollar global businesses.

I’ve learned plenty about organizational development, the importance of relationships and how collaborative and outcome-based policies can work for everybody.

Particularly for a kid who grew up in Scarborough and benefitted from the hand up that Canada gave.

Canada made me.

Pourquoi suis-je tant optimiste?

C’est grace à vous, chers membres. 

Vous avez une certaine idée du Canada.

Pour vous le Canada tire sa force des valeurs  de l’inclusion, de la responsabilité, et de l’empathie.

Vous voulez que le Parti libéral soit audacieux et radical.

Our radical past helped make Canada a caring and wealthy country, the envy of the world.

Can we be radical again? (Yes) Can we be the party of environmental responsibility? (Yes)

Can we be the party of democracy? (Yes)

Can we be the party of equality and wealth? (Yes)

To answer ‘yes’ our members must have a defining voice in shaping policy. 

It is in the voice of our members that the true nature of the Liberal Party can be heard; a call for 21st century excellence shared by all Canadians.

Je voudrais donner une telle voix à vous, chers membres, votre voix sera notre voix.

Merci beaucoup, thank-you.