Even though NDP Leader Jack Layton has a household income in the top one per cent of Canadians, he says he can still speak for the little guy.
Between Layton and his wife Olivia Chow, who is also an MP, they earn a total of $353,000 annually (including benefits like housing in Ottawa) and Layton has a class A pension plan that could give him – depending on how long he stays around - a yearly amount three times the average Canadian income.
“I’ve spent my whole career working with people to get a fair shake and our party stands for the working people of this country and the middle class to make sure they get a fair shake and our policies reflect that,” said Layton, who also has a car and driver at his disposal when in Ottawa.
-Richard Brennan
With all due respect, Mr. Brennan, your disdain for Mr. Layton and his party is getting more and more obvious with every entry you post from the campaign trail. The idea of the blog is too add some colour from the campaign, not to let you flaunt your bias.
Posted by: Jack (but not that one) | October 09, 2008 at 08:23 AM
The Laytons may be in the top 10% with that income, but I'm pretty sure it's not the top 1%. Do you have a source on that?
Posted by: Darwin O'Connor | October 09, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I notice that either Brennan or the Star can dish it out but not take it. This is the second time I have written with pointed criticism (perhaps slightly personal in nature but no worse than what brennan writes) and it goes unposted.
So - fix the story and be factual
Layton has a car because he is leader - he and Olivia rarely use it preferring to walk or bike.
prove that the their income is in the top 1%
Also document how/why his salary is at all relevant. When has he said or implied that he personally made less then the amount stated.
Why can't people with money advocate for those who have less?
Would you tell the members of your editorial board to stop pretending that they care about poverty, minimum wage, affordadable housing etc.
All further editorials praising Obama should be scrapped
All further editorials praising the work of the following should be scrapped - Bono, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Prince Charles (indeed the whole royal family) Paul Martin, Belinda Stronach, etc etc etc
Posted by: jay | October 09, 2008 at 12:33 PM