He entered the convention hall to the beat of Bachmann Turner Overdrive’s Taking Care of Business. The tune was familiar, and so were parts of NDP leader Jack Layton’s message — extend employment insurance benefits, deliver anti-scab legislation, return dignity to poverty-ridden seniors by doubling the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and establish a national pension protection plan.

“We’re in the midst of an economic crisis, and of course immediately, out comes the traditional rhetoric and the old lines of attack that this is the time to cut back on public services,” he said, “and it’s the time to cut back on any type of compensation. It’s time for all kinds of austerity and restraint.”

“Now, however, is not the time to cut because in an economic crisis you need your public services more than ever for a whole bunch of reasons. One is this is the sector that’s keeping things going while other parts of the economy are shrinking. The public service is vital to our economic recovery and it’s time that all levels of government recognize this!”

“The solution is the implementation of a ‘Buy Canadian’ policy to put Canadians back to work in the devastated manufacturing sector and a commitment to creating green jobs in areas like wind generation.”

Regarding the economic recovery, Layton put it this way: “We don’t say the recession is over until people are back at work.”

OFL leadership team and NDP leader Jack Layton: from left, VP Terry Downey, Layton, president-elect Sid Ryan, and secretary-treasurer Marie Kelly.

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