Like everyone else, I was sad to see Jack Layton's life end at such a young age. His breakthrough in Quebec was very heartening. Sharon and I drove around the Gaspe peninsula this summer. It was new territory for us, and we thoroughly enjoyed its beauty and history. But what particularly struck me in this stretch of long-time Bloc country was the number of Canadian flags we say flying along with the expected fleurs-de-lis. I was thrilled to see them and express my gratitude for Layton's fine work in enfolding more Quebecois into this great country.
On the other hand, I was puzzled--in fact, distressed--at Layton's seemingly uncaring attitude towards the incredible repression of women and others in Afghanistan during the federal campaign and particularly during the leaders' debates. He mocked poor Michael Ignatieff for arguing that an on-going Canadian military presence was necessary in that desperately needy country in order for the job of rebuilding to go on.
Yet at the same time, he and his other party members argued vociferously on behalf of the Canadian postal workers who were planning a strike this past June. The filibuster that Layton orchestrated in the House of Commons lasted nearly 60 hours. At that time, the average starting wage of a postal worker was $23/hour. Canada Post had tabled an offer that included a wage increase, a defined benefit pension plan for both new and existing employees, up to seven weeks vacation, and job security.
While not taking any position on the collective bargaining dispute, I don't think there is anyone who would argue that the postal workers are hard done by--quite the opposite. But Layton's overwhelming support for them, in contrast to his apparent low regard for the needs of Afghan women, children, Shiites and non-Muslims struck me as very odd. If this is the NDP's view of social justice, I think that Attila the Hun has company on his side of the political spectrum.
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