The Hill Times asks “Where’s Jack??”

The Hill Times, April 20, 2009

Does Anyone Know Where Jack’s Been?

Since the collapse of the coalition idea, NDP Leader Jack Layton has basically limited his political activities to mourning the death of his dream.

By Angelo Persichilli

TORONTO—Does anyone know where Jack Layton’s been? While federal Liberals and Conservatives are elbowing for positioning in the next federal election, it appears the NDP leader has fallen off the federal political radar screen. Since the collapse of his initiative of a centre-left coalition with the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois, Layton has basically limited his political activities to mourning the death of his dream.

There’s no doubt that the manoeuvering for the creative and daring coalition didn’t just start after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s controversial presentation in November of the economic update. That event was the spark that provided life to an initiative Layton was already working on.

Jack Layton sends Peter Tabuns to debate for him. Peter Tabuns is promptly ejected from the debate hall.

Just a quick run-down of what happened last night at the Toronto-Danforth All Candidates Debate:

Despite assurances from his campaign that Jack would be there, Jack was in Comox, British Columbia.  It marked the second time he went to the riding of Vancouver Island North, which means that he has been to that riding MORE OFTEN THAN HIS OWN.  Talk about taking your voters for granted.

Anyway, in his place, Jack Layton sent Peter Tabuns to debate for him (though he didn’t tell the other candidates that this was happening, or the local residents there to hear Jack debate).  People in the audience started shouting, and the moderator decided to put it to a vote.  Get this: the audience decided to send Peter Tabuns packing.  I’m glad the audience stood up to the NDP’s arrogance.  If Jack Layton seriously wants our votes, he’s going to have to do a lot better than this. 

Here’s my pre-debate take:

And my post-debate wrap-up:

JACK PULLS OUT OF THE LOCAL DEBATE LAST MINUTE — an open letter from a constituent.

Dear Jack Layton,

My name is Gabe.  I’ve lived in Toronto-Danforth for 21 years.  I haven’t been a voter very long.  But every time I’ve voted in a federal election, I’ve voted for you. 

But this time, you’ve lost my support.  You take my vote for granted.  You insult me and my neighbours by asking for our votes, and then lie to us when we ask if you’re going to be here in Toronto-Danforth to debate the local issues.

On October 5th, I called your campaign office.  I asked your staff if you were going to be at the debate.  I asked your staff if I was finally going to get the chance to hear you speak to me about the issues that you purport to fight for.  Well, they lied to me.  They told me you were going to debate.  They told me you cared about the local issues, and that you cared about local voters. 

So why are you in BC?  You didn’t think I’d find this, did you?  It’s an article from the Comox (BC) Valley Record.  It says, in plain language, that while you’re supposed to be in Toronto-Danforth at a debate that was scheduled at a time that you said was convenient for you, you’re going to be speaking to a crowd of Vancouver Island residents.  The article says it’s your second time in that riding since August.  How many times have you been in Toronto-Danforth since August??  Well, your campaign office says ONCE.  Once.  It’s shameful – but then again, they could be lying to me about that too.

I can’t believe the arrogance.  I can’t believe the disrespect.  You tried to pull a fast one on your constituents, Jack, and we’ve had enough.  Between now and October 14th, Mr. Layton, you’ve got one hell of a lot of explaining to do.

Respectfully,

Gabe.

Jack Layton makes Transit Announcement in Toronto… Just not Toronto-Danforth

Jack Layton made a transit announcement at Bathurst subway station — in his WIFE’s riding of Trinity-Spadina.  2 theories here:

1 — Olivia Chow and Jack Layton are terrified of Christine Innes, Olivia’s Liberal challenger in Trinity-Spadina.

2 — Jack Layton doesn’t want to hold any more events in Toronto-Danforth, given the tepid welcome with which he was received by the residents of Toronto-Danforth (I think I saw some signs — “Jack of All Ridings (Except Toronto-Danforth)” comes to mind).  I mean, we’ve got several subway stations in Toronto-Danforth: Broadview, Chester, Pape, Donlands, Greenwood… 

Talk about taking the voters of Toronto-Danforth for granted!  Makes you wonder:  Where’s Jack??

NDP has the Mounties kick me out of Jack’s rally

Here’s the story:

I was outside Jack Layton’s rally on September 13^th. As usual, in order to see Jack, I had had to leave Toronto-Danforth. I had made my way to the CNE grounds, excited to see my Member of Parliament speak. Only, when I went into the rally, NDP communications staff went ballistic. Someone shouted that I was “unauthorised media” (let’s hope that “authorising media” isn’t something that an NDP government would set out to do). I informed them that I just wanted to stand in the back and listen to what Jack had to say – and reminded them that the event was advertised as public. On top of that, as one of Jack’s constituents, I was taking advantage of the only opportunity I’ll likely have to hear my MP speak in person. They told me it was “public” for NDP supporters, and that I would be excluded because “he’s Liberal.” This was somewhat shocking-I’ve never been physically excluded from an event because of my political beliefs. Then, a Communications guy called over the RCMP (seriously!). The Mounties were civil and behaved appropriately. I asked to see their badges, they provided them, and I complied as they escorted me and a companion out of the building. I asked if I was considered some kind of security threat. They didn’t answer. I asked if I had done anything wrong. They didn’t answer.

Is this the way to treat your constituents? Tell me, readers, is this the way you would want to be treated by your elected representative? I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t allowed.

Anyway, I never did get to see Mr. Layton speak. Go figure. I’m still left wondering Where’s Jack??

Jack’s Campaign Bus spotted in Toronto… Just not Toronto-Danforth

This was an exciting moment. I thought I was going to see Jack, and finally prove my theory that the best way to improve your chances of seeing Jack Layton is to leave his riding. No such luck – I’m still left wondering: Where’s Jack??

Jack Layton puts up signs in Toronto… Just not Toronto-Danforth

When I saw this sign, I knew I was in the right place: Trinity-Spadina (wait a second, that’s not Toronto-Danforth…).  Should we be surprised given that Jack’s such an absentee MP?  Seems like Jack himself may also be wondering: Where’s Jack??

Jack Found in Toronto… Just not Toronto-Danforth

On September 13^th, Jack Layton, the absentee MP for Toronto-Danforth, addressed a rally of supporters at the CNE grounds in downtown Toronto. In Trinity-Spadina. Not in Toronto-Danforth.

He had a few special guests who took the opportunity to remind CBC and CTV news that it was Jack joining with Stephen Harper that brought down the Liberal government, and that reversed the progressive, prosperous course our country was on: