As the leader of a party that knows a thing or two about the fickle nature of the Canadian electoral system, Jack Layton isn’t taking anything for granted. After all, he’s a New Democrat.
Layton struck a pragmatic tone today as he wrapped up his latest swing through Quebec, a province that appears to be embracing the NDP after years in the political wilderness.
Layton is hoping his party’s recent surge in the polls in Quebec lasts until Monday, when voters mark their ballots. To that end, a new television ad does something NDP ads rarely do: it encourages Canadians to envision Layton living at 24 Sussex Drive.
The ad features men and women of different ethnicities urging viewers to imagine a leader who listens to their concerns on health care and the economy – two of the biggest issues in the election.
“Imagine a leader who actually cares,” they say.
With the luxury of momentum, Layton appears to be taking his campaign to the so-called “high road,” hoping to appear prime ministerial and above the fray as election day nears.
And with his Liberal and Conservative rivals taking more direct aim at him than they normally would, Layton is at pains not to take the bait.
“I’m not running for Prime Minister in order to attack other party leaders,” he said when asked about a recent barrage of Liberal attack ads targeting the NDP.
“I am running – and I’ve been in political life a long time – to attack the issues and the problems that people are facing.”
