TORONTO, Ont – Federal NDP leader Jack Layton addressed the Canadian Labour Congress convention May 29, stressing the need for strong union movement in Canada.
During his 45 minute speech Layton stressed the need to stand together to protect the attack on the public service sector. “Downsizing, contracting out, and outsourcing, the current Harper government is breaking down our communities and everything our parents and grandparents built,” Layton told the crowded convention floor. “We are voting against the budget implementation bill and we will always stand against the Harper government and with the working people of this country.”
Layton talked about the strength of the partnership between the NDP and labour and our work together to make this country a fair and just society. He paid tribute to young workers and told the nearly 2,000 delegates that the NDP listen to the talk at ‘kitchen tables of this country’.
Promising to bring back anti-scab legislation, Layton also discussed the environment, the economy, aboriginal rights, saying “We stand with the First Nations, we are participating in actions across the country this 2nd First Nations National Day of Action.”
The NDP leader demanded fair trade deals with no more sell outs of Canadian workers. The decline of manufacturing and forestry jobs, and the need for fairness in Canadian tax laws, giving working Canadians a better deal and not providing huge tax breaks for corporations.
During his speech Jack Layton received no fewer than four standing ovations.
