NDP Speeches

Thank you, Jean-Rodrigue, for this chance to share a New Democrat perspective on democracy in 2011. I certainly appreciate the work you’re doing at the Canadian Study of Parliament Group.

At a time when many Canadians are turning away from Parliament,you’re turning to face it—asking how we can bring our democracy to better health. So kudos to you for the effort, and thanks for asking me to be part of it.

A lot of what I know about politics, I learned from my Dad.

Good afternoon everybody. And thank you Link for that warm Saskatchewan welcome.

It means so much coming from the next Premier of Saskatchewan.

It’s great to be here to share ideas with the Saskatchewan NDP.

And to come together to plan out our approach to getting results in Parliament.

Your New Democrat MPs from across Canada are here today to do just that.

But I’ll tell you – there’s actually another reason we chose to come together in Saskatchewan.

We’re here because the hard-working people of Saskatchewan – like others across Canada - are looking for change.

Welcome to the close of our summit for First Nations, Inuit and Métis issues and candidates, here in the heart of Algonquin territory.

Nine exceptional Aboriginal candidates. That's the largest group among all parties. Surely the most inspiring! And I’d like to introduce you to some of them.

My friend Lewis Cardinal is running in Edmonton Centre. Lewis has already received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Public Service—I can’t wait to see his talents at work in our caucus.

Ladies and gentlemen: Hans Cunningham, your soon-to-be FCM President!

Hans had a great year as First VP. His Kootenay Ice did pretty well too, out in the Western Hockey League.

I may be a bit fixated on hockey today. And still mourning the Habs. But remember: there are 38 Canadian players in the Stanley Cup final … and we don’t have to stop reminding our American friends who won that Olympic Gold Medal!

Let’s also hear it for your President: Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart!

Congrats to Basil—to all of you, and to Basil’s beloved Summerside Western Capitals—for a great year!

Good morning.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti today.

We are deeply concerned for the safety of Canadians in Haiti and for the hundreds of thousands of Haitians devastated by the quake.

We call on the government to provide humanitarian assistance without delay and to support the efforts of Oxfam, Red Cross and others providing immediate relief to Haiti.

We are pleased that the Disaster Assistance Response Team has been deployed to Haiti.

I know that many Haitian-Canadians are worried today, awaiting news of loved ones.

Good afternoon Your Excellencies.

Jack Layton asked me to pass on his sincerest apologies – he wishes he was well enough to speak to you today.

I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to speak, and thanks also to Ambassador Iremark for providing such a pleasant place to meet.

A major global economic shift is underway and Canada can either be at the forefront of the new economy or trail behind.

Which it will be depends on how successfully we shift to a greener economy and take up the fight against climate change.

Last Tuesday, after speaking to students at Queen’s University, a young woman approached me with a question. She told me her father was a forestry worker who had been laid off after more than 20 years with the same company in Thunder Bay. Her family was devastated by the news and it looked like she would not be able to continue her education. They eventually scraped enough money together for her fall semester, but her further studies are in doubt. Her question to me was: what I could do – what could New Democrats do – to help her dad and others like him?

Good morning.

Thank you, David, for that kind introduction.  Let me begin by saying how pleased I am to have the opportunity to speak here at the Woodrow Wilson Centre, and that you’ve come out today. I’m looking forward to your questions after my speech.

I’ll first talk about the battle for health care reform and dispel some myths about Canadian health care. Then I’ll say a few words about how health care reform will help economic recovery, and about working together to strengthen health.

Imagine a ship’s captain, setting out from port under clear blue skies.

He checks but doesn’t want to believe forecast.

Some, recently arrived in port, warn of rough seas beyond the horizon.

There’ve been casualties, they report.

But this captain leaves the charts untouched and lets the wind fill the sails.

He knows the way, it’s the same course he’s always taken, and no-one is going to tell him different!

Storm clouds start to build.

The captain hardly notices.

Yet the crew are uneasy, urging the captain to set a new course.

My fellow Canadians, tonight we are at a crossroads in our collective history.

An economic storm unlike anything seen in a generation is upon us.

And Canada must have a strong and effective government that holds
the confidence of Parliament.

Tonight, we do not.

Tonight, far too many Canadians will lie awake not knowing how they’ll put food
on the table tomorrow, or pay the bills this month.

Seniors will check their pensions and savings and see the true cost of collapsing markets.

And in Canada this recession has only just begun.

It’s great to be with you today.

I know these are uncertain times in Canada.

And I know many Canadians are worried about their future, about their children’s future.

I know you need leaders who are on your side.

So I want to begin by paying tribute to someone who’s always been on your side:

Howard Hampton.

After twelve years of outstanding service to the Ontario New Democrats, his leadership will be missed.

As a party leader myself, I know the sacrifices we make.