Ignatieff to become party leader

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 2 (UPI) -- Michael Ignatieff says he has a vision for leading the Liberal Party of Canada into the future.

Ignatieff, who was to formally take the role Saturday that he assumed nearly five months ago, follows Stephane Dion, who served two years, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Ignatieff reportedly told party delegates gathered Friday in Vancouver that it is time for liberals to build grassroots support.

"I want to create a party where that sense of contact with the ground is there," he was quoted by CBC as saying.