The political world is experiencing a series of immense pressures - political cynicism, voter dissatisfaction, alienation of the young, new radical political movements. Everything is in turmoil and disarray.

After last century's experimentation with neo-conservatism, 'new' labour, the collapse of communism, crony-capitalism, political exhaustion seems to have set in. This is the distressing and 'post-modern' condition of ideologies, parties, policies, and political thought.

Among liberals globally and among Canadian liberals, there is a craving need for a revitalisation of political discourse, for a vital and progressive liberalism, consistent with the realities of the 21st century, true to the valid precepts of liberal thought and reflective of the Canadian experience.