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NDP Leader Jack Layton
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NDP Leader Jack Layton entered the current federal election campaign hoping to prove that his party is the real opposition to Stephen Harper's Conservatives.
In recent days, the NDP has gotten the Tories' attention. With the Liberals struggling, could this be Mr. Layton's moment?
The Globe and Mail has invited each of the federal leaders to join us for an hour to interact with readers. Last week, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May took your questions. Now, it's Mr. Layton's turn.
Join the Conversation with Mr. Layton at 12:30 p.m. ET or submit a question in advance.
Your questions and Mr. Layton's answers will appear at the bottom of this page when the discussion begins.
Jack Layton was elected NDP Leader in January, 2003, after serving six terms as a Toronto city councillor.
He was also the former president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and helped create the White Ribbon Campaign to stop violence against women.
Mr. Layton, who represents Toronto-Danforth riding, was born in Montreal and received his PhD at York University. He has taught at four universities.
This is the second time Mr. Layton has answered questions online from the readers of globeandmail.com.
In the final days of the 2006 election campaign, he debated then-Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan and Conservative Jason Kenney, a close adviser to Stephen Harper. You can read the transcript of that discussion here.
Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each question/comment. Comments/questions may be edited for length or clarity. HTML is not allowed. We will not publish questions/comments that include personal attacks on participants in these discussions, that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or questions/comments that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.
Jack Layton: Hello, everyone. Thanks for being part of this "virtual scrum" here on the Internet and a big thanks to the folks at The Globe and Mail who have set it up. Looking forward to some good exchanges. If there are any questions that I cannot get to today, do send them along to ndp.ca so I can get back to you.
Adam Radwanski, globeandmail.com: Thanks for taking the time during your busy campaign to join us, Mr. Layton. We have a ton of questions, so we'll get right to them.
David S. (Toronto): As a recent University of Toronto graduate, I have many friends who are facing huge debt loads, interest piling on and are facing difficultly making ends meet just as they're starting their careers or their families. What would a New Democratic government or caucus do to ensure that post-secondary education in Canada is affordable and that our work force is well education and down debt ridden from Day 1?
Jack Layton: David, I have met countless students facing this enormous problem. It makes no sense to have our youngest and brightest like you weighed down with debt at the very moment in your lives that you should be spreading your wings, starting the career you have worked so hard to pursue and even perhaps getting a family started.
Having taught in the university system for a long time, I've watched my students become increasingly stressed and exhausted over the years as it has become harder to make ends meet. While in school, it's harder to excel when you have to work so many hours to pay the rent, food and tuition. We want to tackle all aspects of this problem.
First, with a post-secondary education act for Canada to spell out the federal government's oligations to fund PSE to achieve key objectives, including keeping education affordable. This legislation is before the House of Commons now, presented by our MP for Victoria, Denise Savoie.
We have also developed a plan to reduce student debt that will form an important part of our campaign platform when it is fully released, including lowering student loan interest rates and protection against predatory collection agencies.
You can read more about our approach at www.ndp.ca/page/4783
F. Wm. Woodward (Calgary): We know socialism is wealth transfer. But when the wealth runs out, what then?
Jack Layton: Actually, our approach is to invest in the creation of wealth wisely and build an economy for the twenty-first century. Take a look at the success that Gary Doer's NDP government is having in Manitoba to have a sense of how this can be done.
Bonny Desai: How does your party plan to promote public transit system? Would you consider feasibility studies for light rail systems to connect cities within the GTAA area?
Jack Layton: We have committed to dedicating one cent per litre of the existing gas tax to transit. We also would see a portion of the carbon emissions cap-and-trade revenue, which would total $2.5-billion in the first year, being devoted to public transit. This very significant, regular and predictable funding would allow transit systems like those in Toronto to pursue ambitious plans to serve their residents with better affordable transit while reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well.
Alex Greschner (Saskatoon): Mr. Layton, in light of your party's stance toward emissions, do you encourage the development of nuclear power in Canada?
Jack Layton: We do not support subsidies for new nuclear projects in Canada. Neither do we support subsidies for such projects as the Tar Sands. We believe that energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy sources are more cost-effective and less polluting options and should receive assistance from the cap-and-trade revenues.
Obaidur Omar (Calgary): Mr Layton, is there any chance that if elected to power, the NDP would reduce the tax burden on middle class, hardworking Canadians?
Jack Layton: We will cancel the unconditional $50-billion tax cut for large profitable corporations instituted by the current government with the support of the Official Opposition, and instead invest in the initiatives that Canadian working families need for their families, from health care to job training to transit investments.
globeandmail.com: Globeandmail.com: A number of readers submitted questions along the same lines. "While you have been campaigning against Mr. Harper without a mention of Dion, you must admit that this time around, the position of Prime Minister may be a little out of reach. Would you be satisfied with winning the position of Leader of the Official Opposition?" asks R. Carriere, from the Maritimes. Gary Wilson, Jonathan Dower and R.M. take it one step further, and ask: "Would you consider a coalition with the Greens and Liberals? If not, why?"
Jack Layton: On October 14th, Canadians will have the chance to choose a new Prime Minister. I will be a Prime Minister that puts you and your family first, putting the issues of the kitchen table to the forefront instead of the exclusive focus on the issues of the corporate board room table as we've seen over the past 25 years. I'll await the decision of Canadians on this proposition.
James Pattison (Saskatoon): Within the last couple of months, the Conservatives have made major cuts to the arts within Canada. Seeing as how art is one of the main features of culture, I feel that it is an important part of our lives. What does the NDP have planned for funding towards the arts in Canada?
Jack Layton: We are strong supporters of funding for the arts and for culture. Why? The arts are a key economic sector in our economy and provide a great many good jobs. You are also right to emphasize the other gifts that the arts can provide to the lives of all Canadians.
In our Caucus and in our team of candidates we have many artists, including Tom King, the celebrated writer, Dave Sparrow, the VP of ACTRA, and Charlie Angus, Juno award nominee. Our programme will restore the Harper cuts and provide further initiatives in support of the arts in Canada.
Jordan Nicholson (Calgary): How will you address 1.) the growing gap between socio-economic classes in Canada, and 2.) people's struggles to find affordable housing in Canada's urban centres?
Jack Layton: As you may know, I've been talking about the growing "prosperity gap" in Canada for quite some time. You are right to highlight this problem emerging in our society - one that has grown over the past 25 years due to government policies that have benefitted those at the top end of the spectrum while leaving many people behind. I will not quote here the many studies documenting this but they are disturbing.
Our approach is to ensure that the basics that Canadians need for their families are available to them, affordably: education, health care including mediations, key services. Our programme contains many initiatives to take us, step-by-step, towards narrowing that gap.
On housing, you may know about my book called "Homelessness," just released in April, which outlines in quite a bit of detail how we believe that the affordable housing problem in Canada - which is large and growing - should be addressed with a national housing policy.
globeandmail.com: David Hill from London and S.G. from Montreal ask similar questions: "The high price of NDP plans makes the party seem fiscally irresponsible, and the party comes across as more of a strategic choice than a legitimate option to win... How do you plan to aggressively change the dynamic in the next four weeks so that the NDP really is seen as a viable alternative and not just a 'strategic' option?"
Jack Layton: First, our party has the best record, when in government, of balancing budgets. That's not me talking, that's the finding of a Ministry of Finance study over the past 25 years. That does not include Tommy Douglas's 17 balanced budgets in a row when he was Premier of Saskatchewan. We have former cabinet ministers from four provinces in our Caucus and we have experienced municipal leaders in our team who have managed budgets carefully. I have instituted in our party, from the day I became Leader, the policy of annual balanced budgets.
People do not expect miracles, they expect wise and careful decisions that put their needs and those of ther families first. Stephen Harper's reckless $50-billion corporate tax cut is an example of bad fiscal management. We would not take a similar path.
globeandmail.com: Globeandmail.com: Afghanistan is being raised by a number of our readers today. R. Carriere wants to know why Afghanistan is not a major election issue, while L.B. from Victoria will vote strictly on that issue alone. L.B. and Ross Hainsworth ask: "What specific, more effective alternatives other than armed force, does your party propose?" and "What would be your specific plan for the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan?"
Jack Layton: As far as I am concerned, the war in Afghanistan is a major issue in this election. That's why in my opening address of the campaign, I spoke about how Canada had to become a voice and force for peace in the world, through independent foreign policy, not one modelled on the initiatives emerging from the Bush White House.
Our party, boldly I believe, has been the only party to steadily call for a new approach to be taken by Canada. Our proposal has two interconnected elements: the withdrawal of our troops from the combat mission in Afghanistan and a major diplomatic initiative at the UN and at NATO to carve out a comprehensive peace process involving negotiation of cease fires and complementary measures.
Clearly, the current approach is not working with increased fatalities of our soldiers and of civilians. We also see significant reduction in security in large areas of the country, increases in poppy production and corruption. It's time for a new direction.
Judy Green (Toronto): Mr. Layton, you compare your campaign to Barack Obama's in the United States. Yet Barack Obama has said that he will not raise income taxes on the middle class. (He would actually lower them.) He would only raise taxes on the very wealthy. Will you make the same promise NOT to raise taxes on the middle class, and what is your definition of 'middle class' in terms of income?
Jack Layton: We are committed not to raise personnal taxes.
'Senor Vancouver: Jack, friends of mine are talking more about strategic voting than who they really want to vote for. Where is electoral reform (i.e. proportional representation) on your election agenda? I think talking about electoral reform would encourage people to understand a vote for the NDP still defeats the Conservatives.
Jack Layton: Proportional representation is a vital reform needed to re-energize and revitalize our democracy, and the New Democrats remain committed to its very early implementation.
Jenn Tung (Toronto): How is the "cap and trade" plan unlike penalizing and fining the polluters responsible (which has been known to be ineffective)? Isn't it simply just that? Thanks for answering!
Jack Layton: First, we put in place firm limits on emissions. This step has been taken by the House of Commons, which adopted my Climate Change Accountability Act - the first legislature in the world to set in law emission reductions of 80% by 2050, the target set by the UN scientists and advocated by so many environmental experts.
Second, major polluters are forced to pay for any pollution beyond the limits set out with the price beginning at $35/tonne.
Third, all these funds are taken and directed towards solutions: renewable energy development, transit, building and home renovation on a massive scale, energy efficiency initiatives, green car manufacturing.
This way, Canadians can have affordable choices for reducing the amount of carbon they burn. That's why 11 states, four provinces, the EU and both presidential candidates in the U.S. advocate this approach. Let's be a part of it. We can start right away!
JP (Kamloops): Thanks for taking our questions today, Mr. Layton. How would the NDP's strategy after the election differ in the case of a Conservative minority and in the case of a Liberal minority? Would the NDP's goals be the same in each case? Which would you prefer?
Jack Layton: What I would prefer, and what I am proposing to Canadians, is myself as Prime Minister. And as such, I will do my best to work with all the other party leaders on the issues being discussed around the kitchen tables of our great country.
Daniel Vaillancourt (Montmagny, Que): I moved from Ottawa to Montmagny almost five years ago now. I still don't understand why the NDP is not more popular here. It seems to me that the social agenda of the NDP is a natural fit with how they do provincial politics here.
Jack Layton: Bonjour Daniel!
I believe the NDP message is resonating in Quebec because New Democrats share the values of the great majority of the Quebecois. Perhaps it is because I am the first NDP leader who was born and raised in Quebec. It is certainly because we have built a great team of candidates, with our Deputy Leader and respected former Quebec Environment Minister, Thomas Mulcair, leading the way. We are building in Quebec with candidates like Daniel Breton, a founder of the Green Party of Quebec and spokesperson for QuebecKyoto, Francoise Boivin, former MP and Chair of the Liberal Women's Caucus, and Jean Claude Rocheleau, a respected trade union leader in the energy sector. Of course Anne Lagace Dowson, the popular and effective CBC broadcaster running for us in Westmount Ville Marie and Richard Marois, an environmental leader on the south shore, add more strength to the team.
Our candidate in Montmagny, Gaston Hervieux, will be an excellent choice for your vote in this election and will help us build the team the way we want it built!
Nate San Francesco (Toronto): Mr. Layton, where is the outrage? Campaign slogans are one thing, but shouldn't the NDP be grabbing headlines by outlining specific concerns raised by the horrifying prospect of a Conservative majority government?
Jack Layton: Seems to me I talk about how Stephen Harper's direction is wrong for Canada every day. I add that it does not have to be that way: I have offered a better choice for PM. Spread the word.
Adam Radwanski, globeandmail.com: I'm afraid that's all the time we have - no doubt Mr. Layton has a campaign event to get to. Thanks to all those who sent questions, and apologies to those whose questions we weren't able to get to - feel free to keep the conversation alive in our comments section. And once again, thanks to Mr. Layton for taking the time to join us.
Jack Layton: Thanks to everyone who participated in this online "scrum." Keep your questions and ideas coming to ndp.ca and I'll do my best to get back to you all. And remember - don't let them tell you it can't be done!
