Jack couldn’t spell the word “leadership.” He has zero credibility and few pay any attention to what he says anymore anyway. Socialists and Liberals don’t spend their own money on anything, they only know how to spend other people’s money. So the idea of Jack and his reprehensible wife cutting their own income is about as likely as Duceppe renouncing separatism.

Give your head a shake Taliban Jack take a pay cut not in this lifetime.
With the left it’s all talk and no action they always say we look after the poor then screw the poor with high taxes, excessive spending on wild eyed schemes like FAST FERRIES, welfare and any other scheme. FIRE THEM ALL JACK FIRST.

I appreciate the in-depth articles that the NCC produces and the alerts it
raises.

Is there a similar organization in Ontario?

I’ve just helped a local butcher, who lost his license to cut, serve and smoke meats because he didn’t have a locker in the building for the inspector to
store materials needed to conduct the monthly, weekly, daily inspection.

The Ontario Liberal government created a slew of government buroc - RATS
and they’re out in the community picking away at the little bones.
On top of this the butcher (from Austria) is capable in english.. but incapable when rattled. The inspectors do all they can to rattle.
Not a nice situation.
613 932 2720

Jack Layton blew a huge opportunity to rebuild some of his lost credibility. He could have stood up in the house, announced that he, his wife and all other NDPers are taking a 10% pay cut effective immediately, and then asked Canadians to take a 5% cut themselves if they make over a certain minimum wage. But no, it’s the old “Do as I say, not do as I do” line typical of all these so-called “leaders”.

Great idea, I would like to see some reduction in their “Gilt-edged” pension plan. Thousands of Canadians have had their retirement plans trashed, as a result of bankruptcies, layoffs, stock market performance, Flaherty’s Income Trust policy etc. etc., why should MP’s get such a large pension for only a rew years of service?

Siggestion: an MP’s pay should be a certain percentage of the average annual income of Canadians, adjusted annually, the percentage to be determined by a committee selected from the general voting population by random lottery.
Funding of political parties out of the public purse should stop.
Extra pay for party leaders should be paid for by the party.
The rebuttal to these proposals would be that under such an arrangement, the best people would not want to run for public office. Certainly the mercenary ones would not.

I know Jack Layton is an ideot. He should cut his income in half and then it wouldbe far more than he is worth, because he is worthless. useless and dumb. Being leader of the Nations Dumb People (NDP) that is as assenine as one can get..

Why should they care ? They lead the poor sheep with 18% of the votes and the mindless sheep follow and keep where they are for the last 20 years . $17,500 paycut for these poor souls …how could they survive ? This is the great peoples party …ever notice that their leaders always come from rich backgrounds ? Then of course ,they can advocate taxing the companies that make us tick with more taxes so they can survive on $350,000 !!! What a wonderful country !!

While a pay cut, as a ‘role model’ gesture would give even the NDP leader some political brownie points, it would be tokenism.
What I’d really like to see is:
1. Make their pension more comparible to the private sector. These means no more than 2% of their annual pay (based on say the last 4 years they were elected) goes toward their pension. So if they been elected for 25 yrs they get no more than 50% of their salary as pension.
2. A concerted effort by all ‘Federal’ parties to create the guidelines and pass a law on the definition of a Federal party. This should include a minimum of having to have delegates in every province and territory, have a minimum of 155 delegates running in every Federal election, and having the retention of Canada as a Nation in their party’s constitution. This would effectively eliminate the Bloc as a ‘Federal’ party.
3. Agree to eliminating, or as a minimum ‘capping’, the public subsidy each party receives for each vote they get. This is no different than forced union dues being used to support a cause the member doesn’t support.

Maybe we can get our good Senator Mike Duffy proposing these items. That would REALLY give him some media covrage!

I completely agree with your views - in fact have been saying the same thing for sometime. The Province of BC has done this and the presidents of the major banks have given back major bonuses. This is what people like to see - lead by example! If the Conservatives began the process it would help to improve how people think about them these days.

It seems that we may be going to Wage & Price Controls like the early 1980’s.
I think we need to send the majority of people back to school to learn the basic of budgeting and spending.

I have never seen a more self certered, arrogant, self serving person in my life as Jack Layton. Jack Layton has his mouth always open but saying nothing. His action of trying to form a government with the seperatist party of Qubec shows he has NO CONCERN FOR MY CANADA. Jack Layton is a very Stupid man. First The Honourable Prime minister Stephen Harper cannot be trusted because Mr Harper wanted to stop the wasted funding to all the political parties. Jack layton saw this as a loss of his personal gain,… and jumped high complaining.
Next the new liberal leader would not join the coalition. This new leader could see the damage the coalition would do to the liberal party. Canadians, like me would never support a party that would destroy Canada. Jack Layton instantly complained the new liberal leader was not to be trusted. I have learned the ones who complain the most,…. have the least to say. Those who point fingers at others,….. are usually guilty of the same acts they complain about. Jack Layton is a weasel and NO ONE should trust this self-rightous
Blow-Hard.
This my opinion.

I can’t believe anyone would listen to anything Jack Layton has to say.
It is difficult to conceive that anyone could have less credibilty.
He is a prime example of being paid astronomically beyond what he is worth.

Of course this suggestion is only a drop in the bucket but leading by exsample is never a bad idea. I am surprised Jack is even suggesting to working people to take a pay cut.. that is so anti-socialistic and so strange to hear that from a NDPer.

I totally agree

Now let me see if I understand this. Jack wants the Harper government to spend like crazy (like Obama) on every left wing project he can think of. Why? Because we have a credit crisis. Not enough money in circulation. We need to prime the pump. We need to get people back spending.

So let’s take 5% off their salary. Now that makes sense.

I’d say something nasty about Jack and the left in general, but I don’t think any of them read NCC.

Certainly, Mr. Layton could afford to cut his family income by the mere 5%,
which would be about one half of my yearly income after years of hard work. I may be naive, but should not “leaders” lead by example? Or this does not apply to everybody? I am apalled by his hypocricy - how was it - preach water and drink wine? (I am not a good bible scholar.)

Yes, lets let Jack Layton lead by example - a 5% tax cut will not even be felt in his household….

A 5% tax cut for all M.P.’s and also lets take back that fully indexed pension after 4 years service that all M.P.’s got a few years back.

Lead by example….

I just had my pension cut by a lot more than 5% when my former employer
declared bankruptcy lately. Jack Layton should also declare bankruptcy because he is so bereft of useful ideas.
It’s time to roll back public sector pensions and salaries to fall in line with the private sector–we now have a two class system in Canada with the public sector away ahead of the private.

5%, how about 50% pay cut for MP’s and about 30% for the CAW workers if they want to keep their jobs and a 5% tax cut for everyone else, except government workers.
Then shove Gilles Duceppe and the whole Bloc up “Iggy’s” hiney where they can make requests of greater equality for the citizens of the nation of the Quebecois and so they have an excuse to recieve even higher transfers from the federal government?

On second thought why don’t we just burn the place down and let the provinces be in charge of themselves since Harper has pretty much destroyed the country nationally anyway, or what was left of it?

The unrealistic demands of the Unions have been responsible for many of the employers problems now coming to the fore. It would be very timely and significant if MPP’s and cabinet, together with civil servants, started the ball rolling with a voluntary 5% paycut, this would help all taxpayers. Dont hold your breath!

NDP Leader Jack Layton said “With the country facing the worst recession in 70 years, Canadians have tough choices to make, including, for some, taking pay cuts so others can continue to work,”

Jack seems hypocritical and deceitful. If he and his wife Ms Olivia Chow, took a 5% pay cut, which would amount to about $17,600 less a year for the two of them Layton maybe worth listening to. For Jack to present the idea as if “”It’s that courage of the Canadian people which makes our country strong” and yet not be willing to be that courageous himself, then Layton is a fraud and a man not worth listening to.

Asking government to reduce jobs is adding to the unemployment lines, but symbolically all party leaders should take a 20% pay cut, cabinet ministers 15% and MP’s 10%.

These people should walk the talk to really understand what the ‘ordinary Canadians’ as Smilin’ Jack calls them, are feeling. This amount is miniscule compared to many that are experiencing complete loss of jobs, pensions, RRSP value, and limited EI benefits.

But these are politicians who wouldn;t think of setting an example of feeling the pain,

And I find it hard to take a guy with 14 seats out of 308 seriously.

Why cannot we the taxpayer demand a referendum, and decide what these PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR US, are actually worth. Remember that democracy is ‘For the people, by the people” and it is high time we brought this action to the forefront.
Why do we only elect those with forked tongues, who want a free ride? ? ? ?
Should we support a non-productive bureaucratic workforce that is never reduced, and has became 16% of the work force in Canada? Could we get by with a 50% reduction of these “fat cats”, and could this workforce not be sent to Afghaniston, where they could do something productive in their lifetime.

Gosh, DB , MAYBE the country nationality is not worth saving if all we can do is suck the money out of the rest and contribute nothing !This guy would sure finish it (Layton) in a hurry !

Mr. Harper does not need to sell any deficit fighting programmes because unlike Mr. Oboma, he has them approved. The opposition alarmist are contributing to the “henny penny” syndrome and may contribute to future tough times through panic.

They can talk all they like but pay cuts and bailout will not work. What we need is to encourage spending. Incent the buyer. Give a big tax credit to anyone buying a new car, any new car. There is an old saying “nothing happens until someone buys something”. The money that will be given to the Detriot 3 is wasted. Give it back to the taxpayer to buy something. Gov’t guaranteed leases would cost less [if delinquent] than the billions the auto guys will get.
Also if you have a bad product you should fail and the strong survive and the market will support those who survive. This way we support the weak and everybody fails……………

There is very little in MR Jack Layton’s platform I could agree with. Additionally, he comes across as an elitist and arrogant man which bodes ill when put in a position as leadership. Having said all this I do want to caution anyone to avoid demonizing political opponents. Engage opponents and ask them lots of questions and you will find they run soon out of answers or badly contradict themselves. Calling opponents idiots cuts off debate and draws attention away from the validity of one’s own arguments. Let’s be smarter than our opponents.

After Jack Layton’s comment, Harper should lead by example and cut all politically involved salaties - MPs, Senate and Queens bench

This sounds like a great idea I hope all MP would go for it but you know that will not happen.

Whatever proposal is made by anyone to get out of this US created economic mess should be tried regardless of fanatical left, right or center views.
The fact that our system STINKS on account of the the Financial Terrorist Dictators (IMF) fiscal policies when the power was given to the “FED”-s (private banks) by Wodrow Wilson and getting off the gold standards by Pres.NIXON in 1971. The US Dollar is printed paper propped up fraudulently on the international markets without any substance.
Drastic measures can no longer be taken as the MONEY IS POWER and this power prevents the people from taking serious steps to remedy the situation. We have to be patient, listen to all proposals and slowly step by step try to follow all sensible suggestions. Personal attacks on the puppets we voted in, will not get us out of the difficulty. For fiscal policy overhaul listen to RON PAUL who in my opinion could solve the problem born in the US and we in Canada likewise could share and enjoy the ripple effects of their recovery. In the meanwhile start studying the present system,-find out who is pulling the strings and why our politicians are fighting an uphill battle with very little hope to come up with a workable solution.
Also a word of advice is to “start living and spending responsibly”

Jack needs to get out and mix with the ‘real’ people for a change and then he would really know how many people are hurting! He should cut his pay 50% never miond five percent. He is and has been useless for years.

Don’t hold your breath people - do you honestly think these jerks will ever take a pay cut. They have NO idea how hard it is to survive! Our “Poor” government probably had more to live on when they were still in school than I have ever had. I have not yet stopped getting GST cheques.
The general population earning less than 34,000.00 dollars a year gross cannot afford to have any more taxation or higher bills. Again I say god help us all
SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE & NOT JUST FOR THE WELL OFF POPULATION

Taliban Jack is the epitome of hypocrisy. For years he and Olivia Chow lived in subsidized housing while he was ‘championing for the homeless’. After railing against two tier medicine, he was ’shocked’ to learn that Shouldice Surgery, who performed his hernia operation, was a private clinic. After he leaves politics, maybe Jack can find his true calling as a TV game show host.

I think all polatiions should be cut back to the average wage pay ,and give them smaller pensions, If they do a good job they get a raise .Make them all WORK for thier money .Just maybe they might appretiate us and how hard we work for our money . No the worker should not have to take a cut in wages. Maybe Jack could try helping a few poor workers out by paying thier rent . Thats how his savings account is getting bigger and he ,like the rest of them ,care so much about the working man YEAH RIGHT!!!!

Great article now lets build on it by listing all MP s who recived more than 175,000 in income & benefits and mail it to all members and more. You might want to use it to get new members. ACCOUNTABILITY or FIRE them.

So Layton wants to increase the taxes of the wealthiest Canadians that are largely employers but decrease the pay of the employees. I don’t get it. The two moves would just cancel each other out.

Not only should all federal politicians take and immediate 10% pay cut but they should also lose their gold plated pension plan.I suggest they open a retirement plan on entering parliament and whatever they contribute we taxpayers double for a period of up to ten years and that is it,How many retired politicians can the country afford after six years of service?I think we have enough now.Is there a source to tell Canadians the total we are paying yearly for our ex members of the house of commons and the senate?I would think the release of this total annually by the auditor general should be mandatory.I doubt that 20% of the population realize just how large this figure is.Release of this information just may lead to demands for badly needed change.

MY THOUGHTS ,BOTH JACK LAYTON AND OLIVIA CHOW ARE OVER PAYED. MY DESIRE FOR FEDERAL POLITICS WOULD BE TO HAVE A TWO PARTY SYSTEM CONSERVATIVES ,LIBERALS, IF HAS TO BE A FEW INDEPENDANTS THIS WAY MAYBE WE THE VOTERS WOULD BE SERVED BETTER. REVAMP THE SALARIES OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND REVIEW THE PENSION PLAN. WITH LESS MEMBERS SITTING IN PARLIAMENT DOING NOTHING WE COULD AFFORD SOME EXTRA PERKS FOR THE TAX PAYER.

Good idea accept the cut should be 100% and not 5%. In my opinion, his effort to form a coalition bordered on being a traitor. This man is an egotistical opportunist and has been getting a free ride for many years. N.D.P. members of parliaments should be ashamed of themselves for subscribing to his leadership. “Only in Canada” you say.

Jack and the rest of his delusional friends could all demonstrate leadership by tying a cinder block around their necks and leaping into the deep part of the ocean. He should take Steffy and Monsieur Le Blockhead with him. The man is a traitor to Canada. He firmly believes in “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” Stay the hell out of my wallet you communist ass. The man is such an oxygen thief

Layton and Chow have been at the trough for years. You can’t retrain them they are very astute when it comes to their own good and look at how it has got them.. They play the press and the public well. Hopefully they will soon be so full of themselves that they will cross the legal line and end up where they belong.

The comments about how regular Canadians have lost so much of their pension recently should receive more attention and the rediculous public pensions should be cut for politians and government employees in an equitable fasion effective Dec 2008.