Sunday, August 28, 2005

Taking charge

Layton isn't quite calling any shots yet - but his saying "jump" on softwood lumber at least has Martin considering Layton's plans:
"While the government does not believe that the recall of Parliament is warranted at this time, it believes that we cannot exclude such a possibility between now and the scheduled resumption" (said Martin spokesman Marc Roy).

The comment came after NDP Leader Jack Layton publicly appealed to Martin to reconvene the House of Commons immediately to deal with the latest developments in the long-simmering softwood dispute.

Layton, in an interview from Burnaby, B.C., said that getting the Commons back in session would "send a clear signal to the United States that Canadians regard this as a very serious matter."

It would also put pressure on Martin to come up with a comprehensive strategy for dealing with the affair, said the New Democrat leader.

It'll be particularly interesting to see whether any prominent Liberals also take Layton's side on the question of whether export tariffs on oil are justified as a response. In any event, Jack's position plainly has the ear of both the public and the PM - the question now is whether it'll lead to government action.

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