NDP EMERGING AS STRONG FORCE       

BY Javed Zaheer, Honorary Editor

 TORONTO: After publishing exclusive interviews of Liberal and Conservative leaders, Rob Oliphant, MP, and John Carmichael, recently, English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’ we covering policies, priorities and strategies of Jack Layton, leader of  New Democratic Party (NDP), so that the public could know the NDP role as well.

   In this election, NDP is posing a serious challenge to the two major political, Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada. It is expected to significantly increase the number of seats and many leaders of both the parties fear this. They know and are seeing that Jack Layton is working hard to win trust, confidence and votes of the people. 

  In view of this change and developments, we want our readers to know about NDP and Jack Layton.

  ABOUT JACK LAYTON: According to NDP: “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 2008 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 May, 2010, 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.

  “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!”

  COMMITMENT: According to Jack Layton, Leader of Canada’s New Democrats:

  “For too long Ottawa has focused on the priorities of the well-connected, not the priorities of your family. Together we’re going to fix that.

  “My affordable plan will get Ottawa working for your family - one practical step at a time.

  “The New Democrat plan is focused on improving your health services, rewarding the job creators, strengthening your pension, and making your life a little more affordable.

  “These are the priorities I’ve been fighting for my whole life. And these are my commitments to you in this election.

  “These commitments are fully costed– right from the first year. We won’t wait to lift all seniors out of poverty. We won’t wait to start hiring more doctors and nurses. We will act starting now.

  “I promise you this: the morning after the election, I will get down to work on your practical key priorities. As Prime Minister, I will work with others to get Ottawa working for you. And I will deliver results in the first 100 days. You can hold me to it.

You know where I stand. After May 2, I will deliver for you. And I won’t stop until the job’s done.”

  FIRST STEPS: The following are Practical First Steps of NDP:

1. Hire more doctors and nurses: 

2. Strengthen your pension.

3. Kick-start job creation.

4. Help out your family budget.

5. Fix Ottawa for good.

  Can the NDP policies, strategies, commitment, promises, role and contributions convince the people, help win the trust, confidence and votes and make them choose NDP leadership for leading the people and Canada?

  It all depends on the credibility and contributions of the NDP leadership. They have to prove that they can serve the people and lead Canada.   

  ---Javed Zaheer (JAZA/JAYZEE/JZEE) is Free Expression Award Winner, Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner, Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan, Chairman, CANOPI, and Director, Canpak Camber of Commerce, is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/ Email: newsviews@hotmail.com. To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit the following websites: www.nepmcc.ca and www.nationalethnicpress.com (Home Pages & Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004 to 2010), www.pakistanabroad.ca (Issues) and www.caribbeanbusinessmagazine.ca