– Chantal Hebert, L’actualite
Thu 2 Oct 2008
Only leader who can stand up to Harper
OTTAWA -- Jack Layton is the only leader who can defeat Stephen Harper – he proved that tonight.
On issue after issue Layton took Stephen Harper on and spoke for New Democrats, Liberals, Greens and Progressive Conservatives who want a better government in Ottawa.
On the economy: In response to Harper's claim that Canadians are not worried about their jobs, Layton charged, "The economy is not fine… either you don't care or you're incompetent," (at 9:09 pm).
On Harper's corporate tax giveaway: Layton laid out the clear choice between Harper's $50 billion corporate tax giveaway and Layton's plan to invest in the priorities for Canadian families: "Why do you give tax cuts to companies like John Deere that will pick up jobs and take them somewhere else? Take responsibility here, and don't try to paper over what is happening in people's lives." (at 9:14 pm)
On balanced budgets: Layton pointed to the strong track record of New Democrat governments in balancing government budgets, allowing for the exception of the deficit-plagued government headed by Bob Rae. However, as Layton noted to Mr. Dion, "He's with you now." (at 9:33 pm)
On health care: Layton spoke up for the five million Canadians coping without a family doctor. As Harper tried to deflect blame Layton told him, "I find what you're saying, Mr. Harper, incredulous. You're criticizing the Liberals for cutting back in health care. You're right on that. But guess who was urging them to cut back more? Guess who was urging them to privatize the health care system? You led a citizens group that had that as one of its main objectives and now you want a majority government?" (at 9:51 pm)
On leadership: Layton confronted Opposition Leader Stephane Dion for propping up Stephen Harper for two years: "You supported Mr. Harper 43 times. His policies, your responsibility… You can't do your job as Leader of the Opposition. I don't know what you're doing running for Prime Minister." (at 10:23 pm)
On environment: Layton lent his voice to the growing movement towards a cap-and-trade system to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and laid out the clear differences between the New Democrat plan and the ineffective and unfair carbon tax of Stephane Dion.
Layton scored the quip of the night. Confronting Harper on his missing platform, Layton asked: "Where's your platform? Under your sweater? You haven't presented one in this election." (at 9:31 pm)
“Harper and Layton have managed to make this look like a two-way race between them” – Adam McDowell, National Post online
"Up here, Jack Layton was the winner. He dominated the proceedings. He didn’t cower before Stephen Harper’s intellect or political skills, either, and not many Canadian politicians can say that." - Warren Kinsella, warrenkinsella.com
“Layton hits home run with the bar crowd here at the Hard Rock Cafe in Toronto.” – John Turley Ewart, National Post online
“Layton is really taking it to Harper and Dion is unbelievably tepid.”
– John Ivison, National Post online
“Good for Jack Layton for bringing up the problems of Aboriginal Canadians. I thought it was the best I've been him in a long time.” – Andrew Steele, globeandmail.com
Jack Layton
A Prime Minister who will put you and your family first
Through three decades of public service, and as Leader of Canada's New Democrats since 2003, Jack Layton is delivering the kind of change that can make life better for you and your family.
Months after taking his place in Parliament, Jack Layton successfully rewrote the 2005 federal budget. In place of $4.6-billion in corporate tax giveaways, Layton secured investments in better priorities—affordable housing, training, public transit, energy efficiency, development assistance and wage protection.
At last: this was policy from the kitchen table, not the boardroom table, and ordinary Canadians responded.
Election 2006 returned Layton to Ottawa with an even stronger team that has been the real opposition to Stephen Harper. While the numerically stronger Liberals rubber-stamped the Conservative agenda by skipping votes, Layton’s New Democrats held Harper to account. On the jobs and affordability crisis. On health care wait times. On global warming. On the issues that really matter to you.
In June, over Harper’s objections, Jack Layton made history again. By passing Layton’s Climate Change Accountability Act, the House of Commons became the world's first legislature to adopt science-based targets to cut climate-changing emissions—by 80% before 2050.
For Jack Layton, leadership is all about teamwork. Systematically since 2003, he has been building the strongest possible team—diverse, committed, national—to represent ordinary Canadians. By 2007, pundits knew something special was happening: after a by-election landslide in Outremont, Layton welcomed Quebec’s first New Democrat MP in a generation.
This election, Jack Layton is ready to take the next step. Alongside an extraordinary team of New Democrat candidates, Jack Layton is applying for a new job: Prime Minister of Canada.
A Prime Minister who’ll put you and your family first.
Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done!
......................
Read an article about Jack Layton's early life and career
Watch videos of Jack Layton - Talking about the Issues
