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Layton vows to push Harper on pension reform

Fresh (and clearly elated) from an historic victory in the recent federal election, NDP leader Jack Layton spoke today to the over 2,000 delegates attending the constitutional convention of the Canadian Labour Congress in downtown Vancouver.

He called for a united front of progressive forces in Canada to help deliver an improved Canadian Pension Plan and reforms to public health care.

"Working together we can put pressure on the Harper government to finally improve the Canada Pension Plan," said Layton, "and the NDP won't stop until it's done."

Layton said that the results of the last election had sent a message to Ottawa, a message that said that the way things had been before didn't need to continue. Layton thanked CLC delegates for the help organized labour extended to the NDP in the last election.

"We would not have pulled it off without your help. Thank you for everything you have done," he said. "We're not going to stop now. Stephen Harper is still in power, and we're going to take him on each and every day."

Layton called on CLC members to join him in building the largest progressive movement the country has ever seen.

"We can build the Canada we want, where no on is left behind," he said.

The friendly crowd at the CLC gathering cheered wildly as Layton told them that Canada now has the largest united oppositon in 31 years.

Tom Sandborn covers labour and health policy stories for the Tyee. He welcomes your feedback and story tips at [email protected].


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