REGINA - Stephane Dion is confirming that he will name his shadow cabinet next week, but the federal Liberal leader is not tipping his hand when it comes to whether long-time Saskatchewan MP and Opposition House Leader Ralph Goodale will be part of it.
"What I may announce today is that I am Ralph Goodale's fan'' was all Dion would say when pushed on the issue by reporters Saturday.
Dion was with Goodale in Regina where the two met with farmers and toured the petroleum research centre at the city's university.
Goodale, who held many cabinet posts while the Liberals were in government, including finance and agriculture, supported Bob Rae in the recent Liberal leadership race.
He moved to Dion after the former Ontario premier dropped out of the running, but there has been speculation that Dion may drop Goodale from his shadow cabinet.
Goodale's leanings during the leadership race does not matter, Dion said.
"He supported the Liberals, so why would it be a problem?'' he asked. "I'm very pleased to say that we have a very united party, we have a dream team.''
He also dismissed the idea that the Liberal party may need to move some new faces to the forefront to better facilitate its renewal.
"It's not new faces that's important, it's new ideas and Ralph is never short of new ideas,'' Dion said.
Goodale reverted to standard political diplomacy when asked about whether he wants to have critic duties, but he did warn anyone speculating about a pending demotion to "hold their fire.''
"I am more than happy to serve in whatever capacity Mr. Dion determines is appropriate,'' Goodale said.
Dion said he focused on two issues during his meeting with agricultural leaders: The growing need for environmentally friendly ethanol and bio-diesel produced from crops; and the need for a farmer plebiscite before ending the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly on the marketing of Western Canadian grain.
Dion said he believes there is the capacity to mandate a 10-per-cent biofuel content in gasoline by 2010 rather than the five per cent the Conservatives are currently proposing.
"I think the strong reaction has been yes, it is possible to deliver it,'' Dion said.
That won favour with Lonny McKague, an farmer from Ogema, Sask., who said he considers himself a Liberal supporter.
"In agriculture, I do not see a whole lot of opportunities to retain more profit or more market share for my grains and my commodities other than in the environmental industry,'' McKague said.
"I think the environmental issue for me on my farm and for the profitability of my farm, is where I would like to tie my farm into.''
