A Leaders loss and the rebirth of a party

By Phil Edmonston

I am sad to hear of the passing of my friend,  Canadian New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jack Layton, 61, on August 22, 2011   

Without Jack, the NDP would have never have made its historic breakthrough in Quebec this year and become the Official Opposition in Canada after he almost single-handedly won a record number of Quebec seats in the last federal election — 59 out of 75.

·        Without Jack, the NDP would not have broken out of its confusing positions relative to Quebec’s role in Canada.

·   Without Jack, the NDP would not have taken “le beau     risque” in confirming Quebec’s right to self-determination through the Party’s Sherbrooke declaration (2005), where it affirmed any referendum with “a 50-per-cent plus one vote constitutes a majority” to secede.

·        Without Jack’s encouragement and support, Quebec MP Thomas Mulcair would not have became the first NDP MP elected in Quebec in 17 years (2007) and got the support in his push for the right of Quebec federal employees to work in French.

As we say in Quebec, Layton was a ‘bon jack’ (“a good guy”).

The future of the NDP

Quebec has a bright future with the NDP. Sure we will have a few ‘crazies’ here and  there who will keep the Party brass busy. But every political party has those members who need to be kept on a short leash (I should talk, eh!).

Interim Leader Nycole Turmel is a fine pick. So what if she once was a Bloc Quebecois member before joining the NDP? Rene Levesque was a Liberal and Winston Churchill was both a Liberal and a Conservative.

As for the NDP merging with the Liberals, that would only result in the “bland leading the bland.”

The question arises as to who should be the next leader. On one hand, Brian Topp, my former assistant in Ottawa, is portrayed as a behind-the-scenes organizer, a union leader, and moderate.

The other possible leader is Quebec NDP MP Thomas Mulcair, also a friend, and an experienced Quebec politician and former Quebec Minister of the Environment. Pundits say he is passionate in his views with a short-fused temper.

A former liberal Cabinet Minister with principles, Mulcair resigned his seat after going against Quebec Premier Charest who wanted to turn part of a national park into private condo land,(shades of Panama?).

Both men are competent, hardworking, and knowledgeable candidates.

Personally, strong beliefs energize me. Acting on principle, impresses me.

I like passionate, immoderate people. Like Tommy Douglas (“let’s have our own healthcare for everyone”) David Lewis (“down with the corporate welfare bums”), and Rene Levesque (“we will change consumer protection laws from ‘buyer beware’, to ‘seller beware’), and Quebec Judge Robert Cliché (“Someday, all of Quebec will go NDP”).

Jack was not a moderate. He was not one to reside in the safe middle or muddle (perhaps, a reflection of the teachings of his friend, McGill Philosophy Professor and NDP supporter, Charles Taylor).

Jack believed in ‘muscled’ discussions where the lines were clearly drawn and positions were taken on principle, not for expediency sake.

I pray that will be Jack’s legacy to the Party and to all Canadians.

Phil Edmonston, who lives in Panama and continues his consumer protection activities turning out two books a year on cars and trucks under the heading of lemon aid is Chair of  Balboa Union Church, Missions, Panama, R. P.and an active CanadaPLUS Club supporter.

He is the Former NDP MP, Chambly (1990-93) responsible for Consumer Protection and Constitutional Reform.