As
you’ve no doubt heard by now, NDP Leader Jack Layton is taking a temporary leave of absence in order to deal with a new type of cancer that he is now
battling. He has recommended that newly-elected Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel be
named interim leader in his absence. The caucus will meet to discuss the issue Wednesday morning, followed by a decision of the federal council on Thursday. Turmel, who has no previous political
experience but who was national president of the Public Service Alliance of
Canada, was voted in “unanimously” was national caucus chair by the party this
spring. The approved NDP talking point is that Turmel fought those terrible
Liberal cuts in the 90s, so she’s the perfect person to take on the upcoming
Conservative cuts. And already the party’s website has her photo on it touting
“experienced leadership.” Except that managing a caucus that is largely first
timers with no political experience – as a first timer herself – is not the
same thing. And if Layton’s cancer takes a turn for the worse, there could be
brewing leadership bids between the deputy leaders, Thomas Mulcair and Libby
Davies, to name a couple of potentials. Turmel is likely going to have a huge
job ahead of her in the weeks and possibly months to come.
Reactions
here from Prime Minister Harper, Liberal Leader Bob Rae, and Green Party leader
of Elizabeth May.
iPolitics
has a timeline of photos of Layton over the past three months, and the
deterioration is pretty shocking. (Caution: Possible paywall).
In
other news, the Conservatives announced they are cracking down on cadmium in
children’s jewellery.
Cuts to
the already under-resourced RCMP External Review Committee means even less
police oversight than we already get – and that’s not a good thing considering
some of the issues and organisational challenges the RCMP is currently facing.
And we
had a lower-profile royal visit over the weekend as Prince Andrew was in the
Northwest Territories on a canoe trip.
