August 29, 2011

NDP’s Dougherty dedicates campaign to Jack Layton

Brian Dougherty has dedicated his provincial election campaign in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke this year to the memory of Jack Layton.

Dougherty, an Arnprior father of two who has worked in Toronto and Timmins, says he was inspired to get involved in politics by Jack Layton in the first place. Since June 20, when he was nominated in Renfrew, he has been splitting his time between working and campaigning.

“I want to campaign in the spirit of love, courage and optimism encouraged by Jack Layton,” he said. “He set an example for others to get involved, participate and care about their fellow Canadians. I want to carry that spirit forward.”

He says Layton campaigned against a status quo “that isn't working for them. They know it’s time for a change. People have lost jobs and savings and families are feeling the squeeze. Instead of a place where everyone gets a fair share, Ontario is turning into a province with a small group of haves and a lot of have-nots. That doesn't fit with Jack's vision at all.”

Dougherty is calling for Ontario to set priorities “that put people first.” He says Ontarians “are frustrated with the current government’s lack of accountability and are tired of waiting for politicians to live up to their promises. They are fed up with their tax dollars being wasted while front-line services are cut. They are offended to see people's interests sidelined to serve the bottom lines of corporations, insiders and lobbyists.

“Jack Layton campaigned tirelessly against these kinds of abuses, and so will I.”

Layton's ideals, he predicts, will inspire many young people to get active in politics. “Jack wrote, in his open letter that young people were a great source of inspiration for him. He said ‘More and more,  you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party,’ and I encourage many more to do so.”

“Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today,” Layton wrote in his final letter. “You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our  plans for the present and the future.”

Dougherty says he was inspired by the words of his provincial leader Andrea Horwath. “New Democrats and all Canadians lost a leader, a mentor and a friend,” she said. “Jack Layton taught Canadians a new kind of politics. He inspired a generation of voters with his principles of compassion and fairness and equality. He set an example. He brought us together. He spoke to all Canadians, in the cities, in the North, in the country and on the coasts.”

“Jack established a high standard to live up to,“ says Dougherty. “I know every member of my campaign team will work hard to do just that. We agree that love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. And we intend to be loving, hopeful and optimistic so we can change Ontario and the world.“

Ontario NDP candidate Brian Dougherty and NDP President Eric Burton commit to carry the torch forward with love, hope and optimism in honour of the great Jack Layton

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