Bob Hepburn: Ignatieff has much to answer for

Michael Ignatieff often calls himself a "progressive liberal," a man squarely on the centre-left of Canada's political spectrum. Others label him a "left-wing intellectual."

But if that's the case, why is he busily and clearly moving the Liberals to the right?

Since becoming the party's interim leader in January, Ignatieff has shifted the Liberals so close to the Conservatives under Prime Minister Stephen Harper that it is hard to tell the two parties apart on any major policy affecting the lives of everyday Canadians.

How far will Ignatieff go to the right? And how long will he continue to prop up Harper? These are questions left-leaning Liberals are asking as party delegates gather today in Vancouver for the start of a three-day convention that will formally crown Ignatieff as Liberal leader on Saturday.