Political Issues and Campaigns

Election 2011 - Canadians Want a Leader Who Puts Them First

Federal Party Leaders: Stephen Harper (Conservative), Michael Ignatieff (Liberal), Jack Layton (New Democrat).

Canadians are looking for political leadership we can trust. Genuine leadership means working with others to put everyday people first. We expect - and deserve - nothing less.

Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper pledged to clean up the massive sponsorship scandal and to give Canadians a different, more accountable government.

Harper showed flashes of co-operating with other parties - with the Accountability Act and in adopting Jack Layton's NDP proposal for $1billion in additional EI support for unemployed Canadians.

Unfortunately, Harper ultimately betrayed the hope and trust of Canadians. He has become the most controlling, secretive and undemocratic prime minister in our history, and his scandal-plagued government shuns accountability.

"A controlling, secretive, undemocratic prime minister who shuns accountability."

Harper rubber-stamped hundreds of foreign takeovers of our resources and industries. He allowed Brazil's Vale to gobble up the former Inco, then break its promises to Canada by killing hundreds of jobs, keeping thousands of workers on picket lines for a year and devastating communities.

While working families find it harder and harder to get ahead, Harper awards tax cuts to big banks and profitable corporations. At the same time, he imposes higher payroll taxes on Canadian workers, and the HST on B.C. and Ontario families.

Ordinary Canadians realize we can’t trust Harper. We realize he’s not in it for us.

Michael Ignatieff

After becoming Liberal leader in 2008, Michael Ignatieff spoke boldly about building “a progressive Canada” and helping ordinary Canadians.

Many Canadians hoped Ignatieff would indeed bring positive change and overcome the missed opportunities, sponsorship scandals and controversies that had come to define the Liberals.

"Ignatieff has proven he is part of the problem in Ottawa."

In the ensuing two years, however, Ignatieff decided to march in lockstep with Stephen Harper, helping Harper impose a destructive agenda on Canadian working families.

One of Ignatieff’s first acts was to turn his caucus against the progressive campaign for anti-scab legislation in Canada. He also voted with Harper to give tax cuts to big banks and wealthy corporations. Ignatieff then sided with Harper on the HST and the increase in payroll taxes on workers.

Time after time, Ignatieff propped up Harper’s minority Conservatives, rather than standing up for average Canadians.

Ignatieff has proven he is part of the problem in Ottawa and most Canadians doubt we can trust him to do what he says. It’s become clear that everyday Canadians – and even Liberals – simply don’t want Ignatieff as Prime Minister.

Jack Layton

Polls show Canadians see Jack Layton as a political leader they can trust, someone they can relate to and with whom they can imagine having a beer.

However, assessing political leadership requires deeper scrutiny of a leader’s policies, actions and track record on issues that matter most to Canadians.

Jack Layton has repeatedly demonstrated willingness and an ability to put practical results ahead of partisan games in Ottawa. When it comes to getting things done for Canadians, Layton’s record speaks for itself.

"Layton puts practical results ahead of partisan games - his record speaks for itself."

Layton has always given priority to working people, not CEOs. He stood up to Stephen Harper and won $1 billion in EI improvements for Canadian families. Layton has led the fight in Parliament for federal anti-scab legislation.

Jack Layton and the New Democrats have consistently shown they are serious about getting things done in Ottawa.  And Canadians know they can trust Layton to defend the interests of working families.

Canadians realize something is broken in Ottawa. We realize we need Jack Layton to put ordinary people first and provide leadership we can trust.

Showing Up for Work Not a Priority for Ignatieff or Harper

For the record:

• Liberals had worst voting attendance record.
• Conservatives exerted the most control on their MPs.
• NDP MPs had most freedom to vote independently.