Angry in the Great White North

Magna International already has the press release running on their site, announcing Belinda Stronach's retirement from politics:

AURORA, ON, April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Magna International Inc. (TSE:MG.A, MG.B; NYSE:MGA. Following the announcement earlier today by Belinda Stronach, the current Federal Member of Parliament for Aurora and Newmarket, that she will not be standing for re-election as a Member of Parliament in the next federal election, Ed Lumley, Magna's Lead Director commented that: "Our Board of Directors welcomes Belinda rejoining the Magna executive management team as Executive Vice-Chairman. She has extensive experience in the auto industry, has gained national and international exposure as a Minister while in Government and will bring an unparallelled understanding of Magna's unique corporate culture which has been the major contributor to Magna's historical success. As such she will be in a special position to balance the needs of all Magna stakeholders, including shareholders, employees and customers."

Co-Chief Executive Officers, Don Walker and Siegfried Wolf, stated that: "Belinda will play an important role and make a valuable contribution to Magna's ongoing success in the challenging auto industry, particularly in terms of long term strategic planning and related policy decisions, international relationships, public relations, social responsibility and employee and labour relations. Her continuing interest and experience in education and job skills training will also contribute to Magna's future global competitive success."

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party website remains silent on the matter.

Leadership means being ready for action.

I wonder just how much lead time Belinda Stronach gave to the Liberal Party and to Stephane Dion. The news release said Dion was told earlier today, but five hours earlier? Or five minutes? The corporate communications team at Magna had plenty of time, Obviously Magna has known for some time, given that they've agreed to a new position for her to assume once she's available.

Remember, she had to be silent when she crossed the floor to leave the Conservative Party to join the Liberals. This was a delicate political move, in many ways an act of betrayal, and so it had to be done surreptitiously. Stephen Harper could not be made aware of what she was planning. But this is a career move. A disappointment, perhaps, to Stephane Dion, but hardly the sort of thing that had to be sprung on him at the last moment. Dion could have been told days ahead in order to prepare a statement and start spinning the story for the press. Instead, Dion is told only a hour or two before the very public announcement, compared to the days or weeks that she's been in contact with Magna.

Not a good day for Stephane Dion or the Liberal Party.