Toronto, ON – “It’s taken 144 years, but for the first time since Confederation, working Canadians will have the voice of the official opposition in the House of Commons,” said IAMAW Canadian General Vice President Dave Ritchie.
Jack Layton and his New Democratic Party made Canadian history when they elected 102 members of Parliament in the May 2, 2011 federal election. When the last Parliament dissolved, the NDP had 36 seats.
As predicted, the Orange wave that gained momentum following the televised leadership debates, swept through Quebec where the NDP picked up 58 seats including that of Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe. At the outset of the election, the party had a single seat in Montréal, held by NDP finance critic Tom Mulcair.
“We heard the Quebeckers message of change and hope,” said NDP leader Jack Layton. “They expressed it very clearly so that we won’t be able to forget it.” Layton reiterated his message last night that he would try to make parliament work “I will propose constructive solutions focused on helping all Canadians,” he said.
“We have heard so much talk about the Orange Wave and you can’t deny the results of that momentum,” said Ritchie. “But waves come in and waves can go out and the challenge now is to build upon that wave because we still have much work to do.”
“We realize by the polling numbers that just over 60 per cent of eligible voters in our three largest provinces of Québec, Ontario and British Columbia, actually cast ballots. So there’s still a significant number of Canadians that we need to reach,” explained Ritchie.
“The challenge to our members and their families is to stay involved. We have 102 members in Ottawa, including 66 rookies that are going to be your voice in Parliament. I encourage our members to get acquainted with these MP’s, share your ideas and concerns with them and above all, give them your support,” said Ritchie.
Jack Layton and his New Democratic Party made Canadian history when they elected 102 members of Parliament in the May 2, 2011 federal election. When the last Parliament dissolved, the NDP had 36 seats.
As predicted, the Orange wave that gained momentum following the televised leadership debates, swept through Quebec where the NDP picked up 58 seats including that of Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe. At the outset of the election, the party had a single seat in Montréal, held by NDP finance critic Tom Mulcair.
“We heard the Quebeckers message of change and hope,” said NDP leader Jack Layton. “They expressed it very clearly so that we won’t be able to forget it.” Layton reiterated his message last night that he would try to make parliament work “I will propose constructive solutions focused on helping all Canadians,” he said.
“We have heard so much talk about the Orange Wave and you can’t deny the results of that momentum,” said Ritchie. “But waves come in and waves can go out and the challenge now is to build upon that wave because we still have much work to do.”
“We realize by the polling numbers that just over 60 per cent of eligible voters in our three largest provinces of Québec, Ontario and British Columbia, actually cast ballots. So there’s still a significant number of Canadians that we need to reach,” explained Ritchie.
“The challenge to our members and their families is to stay involved. We have 102 members in Ottawa, including 66 rookies that are going to be your voice in Parliament. I encourage our members to get acquainted with these MP’s, share your ideas and concerns with them and above all, give them your support,” said Ritchie.